In a recent report, it has been announced that Jenson Button will not drive in Formula 1 in 2017, however, will remain at McLaren in an ambassador role.
Jenson Button Will Not Race In Formula 1 in 2017
In a recent report, it has been revealed that Jenson Button will not race in Formula 1 in 2017. This announcement has been announced following the speculation around the place of the 2009 World Champion at McLaren.
For 2017, Button will be replaced by 2015 GP2 Champion, Stoffel Vandoorne, who will partner Fernando Alonso. Button has driven in Formula 1 since 2000, moving to McLaren in 2010 following his world championship year. Although not racing in 2017, this does not make up Button’s retirement, with the Brit having the opportunity to race for McLaren in 2018.
This possibility to race in 2018 for Button is very strategic, with Fernando Alonso’s contract with McLaren running out at the end of the 2017 season, meaning that Button could step in for 2018 if Alonso was to retire.
Button will continue to work with McLaren, acting as reserve driver, meaning that he will stand in if either Fernando Alonso or Stoffel Vandoorne cannot race. Button will also work in McLaren’s simulator, in a development role.
When asked about the deal, Button said:
“In 2018 the team have an option on me to race for McLaren-Honda, which is pretty awesome.”
“It is a long way in the future but this has been a very interesting week for me with Ron.”
“This is something that really works for me, and I am so, so happy we have come to this agreement and I will do everything I can to make sure this team is as good as it possibly can be.”
Through this announcement, speculation about a move to Williams for Button has also been silenced. With Felipe Massa announcing his retirement earlier this week, the Williams driver line up is still very much a question mark, with names such as Felipe Nasr and Alex Lynn being linked to a place at the team in 2017.
Jenson Button entered Formula 1 in 2000 driving for Williams. Securing his first win for Honda at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, Button found himself at Brawn GP in 2009, winning the World Drivers Championship. He then moved to McLaren in 2010, driving alongside Lewis Hamilton. In his sixteen year long Formula 1 career, Button has had 297 race starts, 15 wins, and 50 podium finishes. Hopefully this is not the end for Button, and we will see him back on the grid in 2018. He will be greatly missed in Formula 1 next year.
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