Jenson Button has said that a pitstop error cost him a place on the podium at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver was running fifth before losing almost two minutes in the pit lane when his mechanics released him without fitting one of his tyres correctly.

After the race, the Briton told reporters: "It's easy to say I could have been on the podium. I'm sure people will disagree with me, but I think we had a chance to fight with Mercedes.

"We had one less pitstop to do. I don't know what might have happened, but at worst it would've been fifth and we would've fought against Mercedes.

"It's a good improvement on the last race. Only a week ago we never would've thought we'd be racing for fifth. There are positives, but it's always very tough when you have issues like this."

Button retired before the end of the race with a severe vibration, having dropped to 12th.