Jenson Button has ruled out retiring from F1 at the end of the season - but, with his McLaren contract due to expire in a matter of months, admitted that "I need to be in a car that is competitive" at this late stage of his career. Having begun his F1 career back in 2000, the now 34-year-old Button is the most experienced, and second-oldest, driver on the grid and after celebrating his 250th race at last month's Bahrain GP, he will move into third place on the all-time list of most starts later this season. The fact Button is out-of-contract at McLaren, the team he joined in 2010, at the end of the year has prompted speculation that his future in F1 could be in doubt, particularly since the death of his father and mentor John in January. However, although McLaren are currently in their longest point-less run for five years and toiling in sixth place in the Constructors' Championship, Button insists such disappointments only increase his desire to continue in the sport and achieve further success. "I definitely want to be in F1. This sort of season does not make you want to retire," said Button. "If you do retire, you want to retire on a high and if you have the possibility to do that, then you continue racing to get that high. The problem then is when you do that you don't want to stop racing either, so you could be racing for many years. McLaren's form has tailed off badly since podiums in Australia "But no, I don't feel I want to retire at the end of this year. I am happy about my future, and think it is quite exciting." Lingering question marks over Button's future, therefore, look set to centre on whether or not it is McLaren with whom the Briton continues his F1 career into 2015, when the team reunite with Honda. Since news of the high-profile remarriage was announced last year, Button has been thought likely to stay on at Woking owing to his past long-time links with the Japanese carmarker. Button, who drove for BAR/Honda between 2003 and 2008, has made clear he hopes McLaren is the place where he wins races again, but admits his age creates a dilemma over that decision. "The biggest problem is I need to be in a car that is competitive, that gives you confidence as a driver as well. I hope that's here," the 15-time race winner explained. Button not happy with P11 "It is a difficult decision for a driver in my position, with so much experience and so much to give. I'm at the point in my career where I've only a few years left where I will be in F1, and I want to be in a position where I can win races or be close to winning races. "I would like to think I'll be here and the team will be competitive towards the end of this season, which will then give me good reason to want to be here." Speaking to the official F1 website last month, McLaren's returning CEO Ron Dennis said that, at present, there was no reason to replace Button. "Anything is possible, but Jenson is doing a great job," said Dennis. "He is quick and he is dedicated so there is no reason not to stay with Jenson from any perspective. But we still have a whole season to go." Having ousted Sergio Perez after just one season to promote young Dane Kevin Magnussen to the seat alongside Button, McLaren have a second high-rated youngster on their books in Stoffel Vandoorne, who is signed to the management stable Button co-owns, with the Belgian winning on his GP2 debut last month. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso continues to be linked with a shock return to McLaren, despite being under contract to Ferrari until the end of 2016. The grid's other established front-running drivers - Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen - are all also under contract with their respective teams for next season.
What gets me is how when Button left Brawn/Mercedes and everyone in the world said it was a bad move... turns out they were actually right after all.
Weird that, 'cos when Hamilton left McLaren for Mercedes everyone in the world sad that was a bad move too. What does the world know!
The bad move was not in relation to the car, but in relation to everyone saying Hamilton was the far better driver and Button wouldn't be able to compete with him.
Oh i know they weren't right out of any particular insight, and in fact knew jack ****, but it's still funny (in a sad way, as a fan) how a decision can go from being a "mistake" to inspired then all the way back around to being a mistake again. If McLaren are still terrible next year (and JB still drives for them), that'll be an equal amount of time to the '10-'12 period he drove for them when they were good!
Will Lotus still exist? Rumors have been that Gene Haas could be looking to take on Lotus. Not sure how much truth there is on that or how that works with his entry, but I wouldn't expect them to go for Button if true.
Either way I can't see Button getting offered a new contract at McLaren. Ron has come in to shape up the team with a fresh start. Sadly I think button might be over the hill in his career now so any prospect of a top seat is slim.he could well be left out.
Now i know he's very popular here, but i've been a little underwhelmed how how he's comparing to Perez since Checo finally got his season started in Bahrain. Being equal to the man they recently sacked wouldn't be enough if i were McLaren. I've expected Ron to want Jenson out as part of the "old McLaren", but what might save him is a bit of pragmatism. If you want a race winner it's either Button or Maldonado! Hulk is really the only sensible choice and he's not yet as proven as people would have you believe.
All drivers have a period where their teammate seems to get the better of them, I fully expect Hulkenburg to regain the upperhand. What counts more against him is his height/weight issue. Aside from that, the performances he has put in over the last few seasons have been seriously impressive at times. Because of who he has driven for, it is hard to tell whether some of the inconsistencies are down to him or the mid-grid teams he drives for. Out of all the drivers on the grid, he has to be worth a punt by one of the bigger teams?
I rate Hulk, but JC has a point over Perez. For me the only way Button will be dropped is if Vettel goes to them. I can't see the Alonso move happening (in contract until 2016) and would he really by a long term prospect being a similar age to Button?
Or maybe Perez is also the real deal, but the Mclaren he had was absolutely terrible? He's already got more podiums in the FI, and he's proved he's a match for Hulk on his day.
Haas have started building a new F1 factory next to it's Nascar facilities: please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Really? I can't see what Jenson could bring to the team they can't get with their current line up until someone like the Hulk is ready.
Unless you get everything spot on, then you have no chance. What will raise questions is if Haas comes in and beats Caterham/Marussia in their first season, then you have to wonder what these two teams have been up to to continue to languish at the back. They will need experienced engineers, designers, fabricators and good drivers. A big ask for a start-up team. Of course being American, if you throw enough money at something and shout loud enough then you will win, right?
