Jenson Button admits it won't be easy turning his P9 starting position into a great result come Sunday's European Grand Prix.
Despite setting the pace in Saturday's final practice session, Button's pace slumped in qualifying.
The Brit made it into the final qualifying segment with the sixth fastest time, just 0.074s short of pace-setter Pastor Maldonado.
However, when it really came down to it in the pole position shoot-out, Button battled to turn his MP4-27 in and kept locking up his tyres.
He qualified P9, 0.715s slower than pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel.
"The last run in qualifying, I had a massive amount of front locking, I just couldn't slow the car down," the McLaren driver told the BBC.
"I couldn't stop locking my fronts.
"We're in Valencia, not a lot happens here in the race. You can't overtake round here.
"The way the tyres seem to hold on for most people, I don't think it will be the most exciting race."
But despite his disappointment, Button's team boss Martin Whitmarsh reckons Saturday's results were a sign that the Brit is returning to form
"You've got to get everything right, it's so competitive. For Jenson, it isn't as bad as it looks.
"What he did in practice this morning and Q2 was incredibly strong.
"He didn't quite get it altogether in Q3 but I think he knows that he's back in the right place in terms of competitiveness. He's a great racer and I think he can come through in the race."
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