Button hopes McLaren can emulate Ferrari and challenge Mercedes

Jenson Button hopes McLaren can emulate Ferrari's progress displayed in the 2015 Formula One season and start challenging Mercedes.

Ferrari improved upon a woeful 2014 that included just one podium at the China Grand Prix to claim three race wins through Sebastian Vettel in the following campaign.

Although Mercedes still surged to the constructors' championship for a second straight year with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg dominating, Button – who finished 16th in the drivers' championship with a highest finish of sixth – hopes Ferrari's rapid progress can be replicated at McLaren.

"It was great to see them [Ferrari] pick up the pace," said Button.

"I heard rumours they found a hundred horsepower over the winter. I don't know if that's true or not.

"But whatever they found, it was massive and they took the fight to Mercedes on many occasions. It was good to see.

"Obviously we need to make even bigger steps if we want to achieve that, but it can be done over a winter."