Jenson Button has confirmed he will not race in Formula One next season – but he could return in 2018.
The McLaren driver confirmed he has signed a new two-year deal with the team as an ambassador next year but has an option to race for them the year after.
The announcement clears the way for McLaren to promote Stoffel Vandoorne to the team’s race line-up alongside Fernando Alonso next year.
Button said he is “massively excited” about his new role. “I love McLaren-Honda – I firmly believe it’s made up of the best bunch of people I’ve ever worked with – and I have no intention of ever driving for another Formula One team.”
“To be clear, I’m very definitely not retiring,” he added. “I’m contracted for both 2017 and 2018, I intend to work hard on car-development, and I’m sure I’ll get behind the wheel of the new car at some point.”
McLaren executive director Ron Dennis paid tribute to Button. “He’s been superb both on and off the track and, as we’re seeing this season, he remains superb – not only fast and fit but also experienced and expert”.
“He’ll start his 298th Grand Prix tomorrow. As such, he’s the most experienced driver on the grid.”
“Having extended his contract to include 2017 and 2018, he’ll continue to be a senior, influential and committed member of the team, and will remain centrally involved in the development of our cars. He’ll also be available to race for us if circumstances require it.
“On behalf of all at McLaren-Honda, I want to say how thrilled we are that Jenson has extended his contractual relationship with us. Moreover, I’m absolutely certain that the depth of his experience and the currency of his expertise will give us an advantage over our opposition next season.”
See the updated list of 2017 F1 drivers and teams
Will Wood (@willwood)
3rd September 2016, 15:43
Like I’ve often said, the sign of a great Formula 1 driver is being able to decide when you stop racing in the series on your own terms.
Congratulations on a great career, Jenson.
Gabriel (@rethla)
3rd September 2016, 15:46
Its not on your own terms just because you say so in a press conference
petebaldwin (@)
3rd September 2016, 15:51
Williams said they wanted him so it is – just not necessarily from McLaren.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
3rd September 2016, 15:58
As probably everyone expected, Vandoorne has taken his place:
https://www.racefans.net/2016/09/03/mclaren-confirms-vandoorne-will-replace-button-2017/
juanga
3rd September 2016, 17:00
+1
GechiChan (@gechichan)
4th September 2016, 6:40
i love how everyone here in the comments congratulates Jenson for a great career and for retiring on his own terms, when the article clearly states: “To be clear, I’m very definitely not retiring,” . Also, this seems more of a forced move than anything he’d wholeheartedly chosen.
I’m not saying he’s not actually retiring, because i do believe he won’t race again in 2018 like he says, but the world of Formula 1 press conferences is a very weird place: not only you have to read between the lines, but in many cases you need to apply the exact opposite of the press conference to get the right message.
PorscheF1 (@xtwl)
3rd September 2016, 15:45
Yes! Thank you! Vandoorne in!
Jamie
3rd September 2016, 15:47
He had one hell of a run one of my favorite drivers of all time. Shame he finished in an uncompetitive car. But at least Stoffle might be in next year!
bukester (@bukester)
3rd September 2016, 15:47
It’s about time. With the exception of the 2009 championship, which still seems suspect to many, was this guy really that good?
petebaldwin (@)
3rd September 2016, 15:50
He was one of a few not blown away by Alonso as a team mate..
Dr. Jekyll (@dr-jekyll)
3rd September 2016, 18:31
@petebaldwin
or hamilton
rushfan
3rd September 2016, 19:16
that’s simply wrong
Alex W
4th September 2016, 0:58
Didnt watch 2010 or 2011 then?
RetardedF1sh (@retardedf1sh)
3rd September 2016, 15:51
I take it that you didn’t watch F1 in 2004, 2006 or 2011.
Philip (@philipgb)
3rd September 2016, 15:55
Realistically not quite on Hamilton or Alonso’s level, maybe not even Vettels. But lets not forget at times he genuinely beat Hamilton and Alonso. Not just by being consistent and reliable, but at times just genuinely faster. He’s the only driver to beat Hamilton in a season. I don’t think he’d make my top 10 of all time list, in fact probably not even the top 20. But on the current grid I’d probably rank him about 6th. With a bit of perspective, that’s pretty good.
And in mixed conditions he often gave truly special drives, though that gentle driving cost him outright pace in the dry.
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
3rd September 2016, 16:19
” He’s the only driver to beat Hamilton in a season”
This statement is wrong. Hamilton beat himself that season. He had more poles and more fastest laps than Jenson in 2011, and equaled him on race wins – in what was arguably his worst year, and Jenson’s best. Also, in the races that both cars finished, Lewis finished ahead more than Jenson. It is a misrepresentation of the facts to say Jenson beat Lewis in 2011; even if that is what the points tally show.
Michael Lyons
3rd September 2016, 16:34
Over the three seasons Button partnered Hamilton JB out scored him. Points count more than wins or poles. That’s what the records are based on.
x303 (@x303)
3rd September 2016, 19:22
Please, not that 3 years long season non-sense again. It has never existed in the history of the sport.
Blazz
4th September 2016, 8:06
Oh dear. This again about “outscoring”. Points count over a season. Not three. Each season a driver starts with 0 points so to make it seem as though Jenson outscored Lewis in all three seasons when in fact he only did so in one is the lamest trick in the book.
Philip (@philipgb)
3rd September 2016, 16:35
No my statement is correct, the drivers championship for 2011 had Button ahead of Hamilton, over the season Button beat Hamilton on points which is how a drivers championship is measured. Your statement that Hamilton beat himself is hyperbole, mine was fact.
And I’m not using some twisted, made up ‘over 3 seasons’ argument, but plain simple fact is Button beat Hamilton in 2011.
GT Racer (@gt-racer)
3rd September 2016, 17:10
@philipgb While the statement may be correct in terms of points, Button was in no way faster than Hamilton that year nor any of the other years they were team mates.
Points only show who scored more points, They don’t tell the circumstances behind why driver x outscored driver y. Unreliability, Bad luck, Silly accidents & penalty’s all play a role in that & this is why teams will always look beyond the points standings when evaluating driver performances.
For example you can say that in 2015 Kvyat beat Ricciardo as Kvyat had more points, However can you realistically say that Kvyat was faster than Ricciardo or that he was/is a better driver than Ricciardo?
rushfan
3rd September 2016, 19:17
it wasn’t a true reflection of form though, it was because Ham crashed out a lot and had bad reliability. If you look at that season in detail you will realise for yourself
Philip (@philipgb)
4th September 2016, 13:17
@gt-racer I’m not sure any driver has ever been faster than Hamilton consistently, maybe in the occasional race but not over a season.
But Hamiltons all or nothing approach in 2011 was flawed, and he let Button beat him because of it. When 2012 started that was when Hamilton became a more complete driver and he destroyed Button that year much more than the points suggested. But 2011 was Buttons year, he gave some truly great races, he may not have been quicker, but he was better.
Peppermint-Lemon (@)
3rd September 2016, 17:14
“Hamilton beat himself that season”
What sort of comment is that lol? Button BEAT him that year and overall during their 3-yr period together.
You’re clearly in denial.
Yusha (@freebird78)
3rd September 2016, 17:50
That argument doesn’t work and is silly. Over three years, Button was ahead in points only in 2011. Even in 2011 both had the same number of wins. Other two years Button lost to LH on points. So 2 – 1 in favour of LH.
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
3rd September 2016, 18:04
Lewis “beat” himself due to crashes and penalties incurred himself. As said earlier, in the races that both cars finished, Lewis came out on top more often than Jenson. This is a true representation of their respective abilities.
It is like Rosberg claiming he “beat” Lewis earlier on this season due to Lewis’s contact with other drivers, engine reliability issues and penalties. Only someone with blinders on would claim otherwise.
rushfan
3rd September 2016, 21:16
I’m fascinated by the psychology of humans. Do you really believe that Jenson outperformed Lewis? I don’t think you do, you just want to believe it, or you’re just misinformed
Blazz
4th September 2016, 8:17
Because F1 is a mechanical sport that “outscoring” statistic has to be put into perspective for a more accurate reflection on their head to head performances that takes out reliability and accidents etc. For instance, Hamilton in 2012 alone lost two victories in Abu Dhabi and Singapore whereas Button never retired from the lead of a race. In a two car finish between 2010-2012, Hamilton finished ahead 23 vs 10 times. That generally states that all things being equal Hamilton had the beating of Button.
In those 33 races that both cars saw the chequered flag between 2010-2012, Hamilton scored-
545 points.
Button Scored- 483 points.
Philip (@philipgb)
4th September 2016, 13:29
@kbdavies
Hamilton was all or nothing in 2011. Sometimes it was jaw dropping like China, or the pole in Korea. But that putting everything on the line approach threw away some races as well. You can’t just afford credit when it pays off but then let him off the hook when it doesn’t. It was a great approach for delivering some exceptional races, but a poor approach for fighting for a drivers championship position.
2012 though Hamilton came back with the right mindset, the teams errors and reliability robbed him of so many points, way more than Button lost which is why the ‘3 season tally’ is a flawed argument. But 2011 Button simply drove a better season.
coefficient
3rd September 2016, 19:49
Results count, not what ifs.
Ex F1 fan
3rd September 2016, 21:53
Exactly what coefficient said, have we awarded championships now to the guy who was the fastest but couldn’t ever finish? There’s been plenty of fast and aggressive drivers but you have to FINISH to score points. And how does saying another driver could compete with Lewis detract even the SLIGHTEST from how good he is as a driver? Or are you so upset that not everyone worships LH and if we think he is a talented driver but a complete ass of a human you have to attack any comment as if we attacked him personally and you run his PR firm. The FACT is in terms of scoring points, you know the ONLY thing the FIA gives a turd about, JB beat him. Doesn’t say who was faster, who qualified best, who won more, who had the hottest girl, who had the best hair; it was PURELY who had the most points which is how you win.
Nick (@nick101)
3rd September 2016, 23:04
All this crap about Hamilton not being beaten by Button in 2011 is total nonsense! Button not only beat Hamilton in 2011, but he also beat everyone else on the grid that year bar Vettel – including Alonso!
I constantly see all these excuses that he only beat Hamilton cause Hamilton crashed more etc. So, in other words, BUTTON DROVE BETTER THAN HAMILTON i.e. he beat Hamilton. Honestly, the defence that Button didn’t really beat Hamilton in 2011 because Hamilton drove worse than Button is the definition of ridiculous.
We also hear that Hamilton just had a bad year and besides, he still won the same number of races as Button. We then also hear the line that Hamilton destroyed Button in 2012.
Well, I’m sorry, but Button beat himself in 2012 because he drove badly. And after all, he won the same number of races as Hamilton…sound familiar???
Look, at the end of the day, they were evenly matched in 2010, Button was better in 2011 and Hamilton was better in 2012.
Let’s all not forget that whatever you think, Button is the most experienced driver on the grid and one of the most experienced of all time, is a world champion, and is the ONLY driver in history to ever score more points in the same car as Hamilton and Alonso.
He is still one of the very finest drivers on the planet and F1 will be worse off without him. I just can’t believe he’s not driving next year, considering the options he had. Gutted!
Daniel
4th September 2016, 2:37
By the same standards one could say Massa beat Hamilton in 2008 with two more wins and Rosberg beat Hamilton in 2014 with more poles. Obviously any Hamilton fan would rightly say it is ridiculous.
These same fans say Hamilton beat Alonso in 2007, despite being equal on points, because of the best results rule.
So Button deserves a lot of credit for his performance against two all-time greats – Hamilton and Alonso. And yes, Jenson beat Lewis in 2011
Points are the only metric. You can argue, in any sport, that a player/team didn’t deserve to score more points than its rival, but you can’t deny it did beat its rival.
Jonathan Parkin
3rd September 2016, 20:33
He is a better driver than Vettel. All of Seb’s wins aside from three came from the front row and a large proportion followed the same boring MO. Get a good start and zoom into the distance. Jenson on the other hand won his first GP from 14th on the grid and his Canadian GP win will be remembered forever
David-A (@david-a)
4th September 2016, 4:36
The fact that Button started so few races from the front row counts against him and is a clear reason to say he is not as good a driver as Vettel.
Jonathan Parkin
4th September 2016, 5:01
But you have to agree that it is an unavoidable fact that Vettel can only win a race one way, as a large majority of his wins have come from the same method. Also during his Red Bull days he was told several times not to go for fastest lap by his slightly stressed engineer which tells me two things 1) Either RB didn’t want someone to know the true pace of the car or 2) They were afraid that SV would run it off the road like Canada 2011. Also about that race SV said afterwards the reason he lost was he let Button get too close seemingly confirming that he isn’t as good in a high pressure situation
David-A (@david-a)
4th September 2016, 5:37
They didn’t want him setting fast laps as there wasn’t a need to, especially with Pirelli tyres that discourage pushing, and finite numbers of engines and gearboxes. Canada 2011 came after back to back races that SV won where other drivers were close with Vettel in high pressure situations, while Button made even more errors late in the Chinese Grand Prix that year.
Winning races mostly from the front row isn’t a factor to be used to say a driver is inferior. Not at least when one of them took more poles in a competitive year like 2010, than the other took in their entire career.
Neel Jani (@neelv27)
3rd September 2016, 16:36
@bukester For that you need to have a better understanding of the sport!
Uzair Syed (@ultimateuzair)
3rd September 2016, 17:01
Button is underrated.
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
3rd September 2016, 18:08
He is. But he is also overrated. Is that even possible? Only for Button it seems. He is certainly better than Webber or Massa, but his lack of qualifying prowess but him below drivers like Rosberg. And overall, he is certainly not on the same level of Lewis, Alonso, Vettel or even Kimi.
I mean, he is being trounced by Alonso in qualifying – a driver not known for his qualifying abilities.
Christos (@christosts)
3rd September 2016, 22:12
Below Rosberg and Kimi? At least Button was able to challenge Hamilton and wasn’t destroyed by Alonso like Kimi in 2014.
Duncan Snowden
3rd September 2016, 18:37
You don’t hang around in F1 for that long if you aren’t. He’s been desperately unlucky over his career in repeatedly finding himself in uncompetitive cars. Not unlike his current team-mate in fact, only even more so. People forget – or don’t know – that back around the turn of the century he was seen as a definite future champion, the Next Big Thing, in much the same light as Kimi, Seb, Lewis, and now Max have been in their turn. (Oddly, I don’t ever remember that with Fernando. He kind of appeared out of nowhere as far as I recall.) I suppose those predictions turned out to be technically correct, but I don’t think anyone making them expected it to take until 2009, and only happen once. It just never seemed to work out for him, except that one year with Brawn.
As with Felipe, it’ll be sad to see him go, but it has to happen sometime I suppose. It’d be nice to think he could haul the McLaren on to the podium one last time before the end of the season, but that’s going to take some spectacular luck. Story of his career, really.
petebaldwin (@)
3rd September 2016, 15:49
Gutted he’ll be missing but did think a while ago that he doesn’t have much to gain by joining Williams. He’s wouldn’t be fighting for wins with them…
Congrats Jenson in a brilliant career!
HUHHII (@huhhii)
3rd September 2016, 15:50
Oh no. :( I really wanted to see him at Williams. Bottas needs a strong team mate so that we can evaluate him better (Maldonado and old Massa haven’t been that high benchmarks after all)
Button easily one of the most sympathetic drivers on the grid. I will miss him.
Uzair Syed (@ultimateuzair)
3rd September 2016, 15:52
Great driver. A very likeable guy off track and underrated in my opinion. Glad he won a WDC.
F1ed (@rinodina)
3rd September 2016, 19:13
Me 2!
Gabriel (@rethla)
3rd September 2016, 20:37
Underrated? Hes one of the most popular drivers despite rarely having anything to back it up with apart from being polite in interviews.
Andy (@andybantam)
3rd September 2016, 20:56
Just for reference, check some of the bizarre comments above to gauge how some people do underrate Button and scorn his achievements. Unbelievable, really.
One of the few drivers to make me excited about F1 again. Funny, genuine, knowledgeable, passionate and likeable.
A great driver who has left his mark on the sport. He’s always faired well against some impressive team mates. He’s firmly beaten others. If some of his machinery had been as competitive as it should have been, he had (still has) the talent to achieve much, much more. People mention Alonso’s uncanny ability to be in the wrong car at the wrong time, but I think Jenson has him beaten on this!
A great career. And it’s been a great deal of fun watching. Thanks Jenson!
Hairs (@hairs)
3rd September 2016, 23:37
@rethla Jenson clearly wasn’t as blisteringly quick as Lewis, and hasn’t been the best qualifier. But this is a driver who kept pace with Schumacher and overtook Alonso while holding his helmet on and driving one handed for 20 laps. This is a driver who was so much quicker than Hamilton at Spa that Hamilton threw a fit and tweeted team telemetry to try and justify why he got beaten. This is a guy who went from dead last at half distance to win a race with some of the most ballsy overtaking you’d ever want to see.
He wasn’t the perfect bulletproof machine that some of the very greatest were; confidence lapped at him from time to time. But to say he’d got nothing to offer F1 apart from polite interviews indicates a desire to ignore the reality, or refusing to recognise the success.
He’s a World Champion for a reason, not just because he lucked into a great car. Anyone saying that about 2009 clearly wasn’t watching and paying attention to what that team, and its two drivers, had to do to win, and it was champion material all year long, including the wobbles and adversity.
Epol610
3rd September 2016, 15:52
At least. 5 years to late.
bosyber (@bosyber)
3rd September 2016, 15:58
He won Brazil 2012, less than 4 years ago; I wonder what your criterium is.
nase
3rd September 2016, 17:27
@bosyber
Nigel Mansell won the last race in 1994, does that mean he wasn’t past his prime back then?
2012 was an extremely weak season for Button. He did win the first race on merit and the last one under more complicated circumstances.
However, the rest of his season was rather forgettable, and he downright diasppeared from the championship from round 3 (Bahrain) to round 9 (GB), scoring only 7 points with a car that was still podium material in Lewis’s hands (pole position in Spain before being disqualified, race win in Canada, en route to a P3 or P4 finish in Valencia before colliding with Maldonado).
Button recovered after that, but he continued to be clearly outperformed by Hamilton, whose performance was masked by a string of technical failures and collisions for which he was not to blame that put him out of contention for the world championship (Germany: puncture while fighting for the podium places; Belgium: the famous carnage at the start; Singapore: a gear box failure while leading the race; Abu Dhabi: loss of fuel pressure while leading the race; Brazil: collision with Hülkenberg while leading the race).
In the end, Button did finish the championship on Lewis’s tails and with a race win, but this was by no means representative for their respective performances.
anon
3rd September 2016, 19:25
nase, it has to be said that Button was suffering from a loss of power due to a cracked exhaust in the 2012 Bahrain GP and was eventually withdrawn from the race by the team, so his performance in that race wasn’t entirely of his own making.
Nick (@nick101)
3rd September 2016, 23:09
I guess we’ll also not mention that Button was OVER 55 seconds ahead of Hamilton in the 2012 Brazilian race before the safety car and catching Hamilton fast before Hamilton crashed out.
Whatever you do, don’t mention that!
Adam
4th September 2016, 11:04
Blazz, I think Nick is technically correct that Button was 55 or so seconds in front of Hamilton. This though was largely due to the fact that both he and Hulkenberg were the only 2 drivers to not to pit for intermediate tyres when rain started to fall. The rain eased up, and so all those on intermediates had t pit *again*, leaving Hulkenberg and Button well clear of the field.
Hulkenberg also caught and passed Button when they were ahead of the field. The safety car happened and the field was bunched up again.
Blazz
4th September 2016, 8:22
This. I think Button’s 2012 season was probably his worst at Mclaren.
Epol610
3rd September 2016, 23:50
Ok …..4 years to late. ,!!!!
Kalun (@briankalun)
3rd September 2016, 15:53
“The McLaren driver confirmed he has signed a new two-year deal with the team as an ambassador next year but has an option to race for them the year after.”
This line is very interesting. This means that Jenson is taking up Reserve Driver role just incase the Spanish guy do a sabbatical.
Kalun (@briankalun)
3rd September 2016, 15:55
“ambassador” is a fancy term for Reserve Driver/Development driver role
bosyber (@bosyber)
3rd September 2016, 16:01
But if Alonso seriously wonders about quitting if 2017 cars aren’t his cup of tea, smart move for McLaren to keep a good reserve; And 2018 is the year plans have them back on top, so who knows @briankalun!
Philip (@philipgb)
3rd September 2016, 15:58
Alonso would only do that if the car is still no where, would Button really want back if that’s still the case?
More likely the team want to measure Vandoorne up against Alonso for a season. If he doesn’t live up to his hype against Alonso, and the team actually have a solid car for 2018, they will want someone solid like Button back for the sake of the constructors championship.
Miane
3rd September 2016, 16:16
I think that what Button really want is a career on Formula One in technical roles from now.
Sumedh
3rd September 2016, 16:26
Good spot Kalun. It does seem to be insurance against Alonso leaving. So Honda won’t have anyone else on their payroll.
Michal (@michal2009b)
3rd September 2016, 15:54
Another driver from my childhood time retires. After Massa it’s time to Button. Kimi will probably soon follow and Alonso too in not too distant future. I will miss them a lot. Good that Vandoorne gets to drive at least.
evered7 (@evered7)
3rd September 2016, 17:09
+1. None of the new guys have the charisma that these folks have. All only have a chip on their shoulder.
Ogopogo (@ogopogo)
3rd September 2016, 20:04
Ricciardo?
evered7 (@evered7)
4th September 2016, 7:04
He is good most days but can be really sulky when things don’t go his way.
Alex W
4th September 2016, 10:14
Ive seen him sulky for 2 races in over 100…
davey (@djdaveyp87)
3rd September 2016, 15:54
A nice guy who brings a lot of personalty. A solid driver that can beat almost any other driver on his day, has held his own against some very talented team mates. I will miss him from the grid.
Gary
3rd September 2016, 15:55
Sounds like Ron wants an option in case Fernando is unimpressed with the 2017 cars.
Siddharth
3rd September 2016, 15:59
No!!!!!
Why not switch to Williams? I don’t like the sound of ‘Brand Ambassador’. What will he be an ambassador for, a non- competitive team?
Patrick (@paeschli)
3rd September 2016, 16:05
Because you expect Williams to be ahead of McLaren next year?
I think it’s a smart move, Alonso is increasingly desillusioned with the sport and this means he can grab Alonso’s seat after 2017.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
3rd September 2016, 16:10
Williams aren’t a race-winning force now and they’re less likely to be one next year.
WheelToWheel (@lolzerbob)
3rd September 2016, 16:04
Congratulations Jenson Button. An amazing driver with 17 years of F1 and one world championship to his name. He will be missed from the paddock in 2017
WheelToWheel (@lolzerbob)
3rd September 2016, 16:08
I didn’t read he could come back in 2018 before writing this
IJW (@)
3rd September 2016, 16:05
I suppose this means he’s available to do the Top Gear job then?
Jamie
3rd September 2016, 16:56
That was the only bit I enjoyed from the new series… it would be awesome to see but unlikely
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
3rd September 2016, 16:09
Presumably when Button says “I’m sure I’ll get behind the wheel of the new car at some point” he doesn’t mean at the 2020 Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Ian Thomas
3rd September 2016, 16:32
I understood that to mean in a testing role
Black n Blue
3rd September 2016, 16:23
There’s been an air of inevitability to this for about two years, but nonetheless it’s sad to see Jenson depart.
I doubt it was his decision to announce his retirement at such a time just minutes after Qualifying. This is merely conjecture, but I reckon his management have been at the table with Honda execs these past few days, with the latter refusing to offer a contract extension for Jenson’s price, hence the inopportune timing of the announcement.
I always envisaged him announcing it at Silverstone. The thousands who attended probably didn’t think it would be the last they’d see of him as an F1 driver.
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
3rd September 2016, 16:24
Jenson isn’t coming back as a driver in 2018 or anytime after that. It’ll be a fool of a Team Principal that will sign him in 2018. He is not exceptional enough at the moment to still retain the magic necessaryto make him competitive in a front running team. It is a testament to the shoddy leadership at Williams that they even considered signing Jenson for 2017 in the first place.
Nick (@nick101)
3rd September 2016, 23:12
You do realise that your talking about the guy who beat ALONSO just last season right?
Blazz
4th September 2016, 8:27
Comeon Nick. Even you know the Mclaren unreliability played a big role in that. Button himself said “the result was difficult to judge due to the reliability issues”.
George (@george)
3rd September 2016, 16:25
I wonder if he’s allowed to do Le Mans next year under this contract?
Imre (@f1mre)
4th September 2016, 10:00
A full WEC season is the question for me, not only LM24.
Gigantor (@kbdavies)
3rd September 2016, 16:29
Jenson – “I intend to work hard on car-development” – Jenson
McLaren – “He will remain centrally involved in the development of our cars”
That is the end of any hope of a competitive McLaren in the future then!
Bobby (@f1bobby)
3rd September 2016, 19:50
I’m inclined to agree. He’s been there since 2010 and McLaren haven’t won a race since Hamilton left. It’s not a coincidence.
kaoss
3rd September 2016, 21:39
Like they had a car to win
Kingshark (@kingshark)
4th September 2016, 1:12
@f1bobby & @kbdavies
You don’t think that Paddy Low leaving McLaren might have something to do with it.
evered7 (@evered7)
4th September 2016, 7:06
Nah. At McLaren, the drivers design their cars. That’s why the current situation is attributed to Button and only Button. @kingshark
Michael Lyons
3rd September 2016, 16:31
Having been a Button fan since he joined F1 I am disappointed that he is retiring. To those who have doubted his skill & capability I must say that he has been a match for all of his team mates including Hamiliton & Alonso. He will be sorely missed by real F1 fans. I’m certain that whatever he does in the future he will excel in. A true sportsman & role model for any man. All the very best Jenson.
sumedh
3rd September 2016, 16:33
Last year, he was going on about wanting to race next year no matter what. Now it is suddenly changed to I wish to be with Mclaren, racing or not. I think Williams ditched him at the last moment.
Michael Lyons
3rd September 2016, 16:41
He turned Williams down because they have less chance of winning next year than McLaren or even Force India. Even Massa & Bottas are disalusioned.
sumedh
3rd September 2016, 16:48
Surprised Button is doing this weird ambassador/reserve role. He clearly thinks maybe Alonso will jump last minute into retirement. But he is unnecessarily making a Barrichello out of himself. Be like Webber and Massa instead!
KaIIe (@kaiie)
3rd September 2016, 16:37
“Definitely not retiring” sounds a lot like Häkkinen’s sabbatical year announced in 2001. I am very surprised if Button returns to racing duties in 2018.
Neil (@neilosjames)
4th September 2016, 1:36
^ My thoughts exactly. He won’t be back.
Evil Homer (@)
3rd September 2016, 17:11
Wow what a weekend! Two champions retired and like when Webber left we are poorer in F1 for it!
Great class Jenson, well played fella – always a gent, more of you in F1 would be nice !!
Mashiat (@mashiat)
3rd September 2016, 19:46
@evilhomer Two champions?
Evil Homer (@)
6th September 2016, 13:24
@mashiat
Yes I included Massa, not meaning two WDC but just champions of the sport and top blokes.
Peppermint-Lemon (@)
3rd September 2016, 17:18
Gutted- Jenson is my 2nd favourite driver of all time – one place behind Schumacher. He will be missed next year.
But, as I said elsewhere- I’m going out on a limb here and will say that Button & Vandoorne will be racing at McLaren in 2018.
Hairs (@hairs)
3rd September 2016, 17:27
Button should have announced this last year, and avoided another year of pottering around in the 4th crap McLaren in a row.
John Rymie (@)
3rd September 2016, 17:40
I’ve had trouble respecting McLaren’s handling of their drivers in the past due to the lack of respect, but on the surface this is pleasing.
Button appears happy and is a genuinely smart move for the team as it is a longer term plan rather than season to season in the past.
I grudgingly give Ron some respect for this.
brentrockwood (@brentrockwood)
3rd September 2016, 17:52
OK, I’m clearly a Button fan, I’m gonna get flamed for this, and I know it’s CRAZY, but if I was Mercedes, I would have replaced Nico with Button for next year. We know Button and Lewis get along, Button would have no real problem being a number two driver. Button is one of the most reliable and workmanlike drivers on the grid. Could have been a solid year of one-two’s, flying in formation.
B (@)
3rd September 2016, 21:00
In that case, BUT replacing HAM would work as well ?
Dr. Dan (@anikale)
3rd September 2016, 17:53
So, For Williams,
1. Massa retiring
2. Perez still with FI
3. Button staying with McLarens
Who will be second driver?
F1ed (@rinodina)
3rd September 2016, 19:17
Some say Lance Stroll.
pastaman (@)
3rd September 2016, 19:51
Guessing Stroll or Nasr
petebaldwin (@)
4th September 2016, 4:09
How about Wehrlein? Mercedes engine and it’d give him more experience further up the grid…
Bernie
4th September 2016, 6:08
Next year Perez will go to Renault as “team leader”, Wehrlein will go to FI along with his sponsor’s engines, and Stroll will be at Williams along with his money.
leonGTV6 (@leongtv6)
3rd September 2016, 19:14
Jenson Button, a true gentleman on and off the track. Glad to see Mclaren offer him a contract before season ends, unlike the previous two years, in which they treated him a bit disrespectfully. Jenson has shown great commitment to Mclaren, equal to that Hakkinen showed. Very happy for Vandoorne also. I hope he has to show something more special than his predecessor.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
3rd September 2016, 19:27
:D I guess he decided Williams will never be a title contender in short future…
And what he wants is fighting for a title, maybe in 2018 if Vandoorne is not good enough… or if Alonso retires after 2017. Also a possibility…
BasCB (@bascb)
3rd September 2016, 19:33
I really like this. Button gets to say goodbye on his terms, the team keeps him as a great brand ambassador, a Honda – tie in, experienced test driver, and they have a reserve for the case Alonso really doesn’t like what he sees in 2017 and bows out himeself.
To me it is alway a pre for an organisation if they manage to do things like this in an amicable way, so kudos for McLaren on making this kind of agreement with Button. Off course, it remains to be seen whether we will ever see Button in an F1 car again after 2016 in any role other than demonstrations, or Goodwood, as Keith mentioned. But whatever, it is a positive conclusion.
x303 (@x303)
3rd September 2016, 19:38
I wanted to write something a bit emotional, and then I read that part about a come back in 2018, so I’ll reserve that for later.
He seems happy about his new role, I really hope he helps the team to build a faster car for next year. Ferrari must be the target!
Bobby (@f1bobby)
3rd September 2016, 19:52
In other news, Nelson Piquet Jr. will be returning to racing duties at Renault in 2018.
Spawinte (@spawinte)
3rd September 2016, 19:55
I suppose this will be like Hakkinen’s sabbatical that he never came back from. Button would be 38 by the time the 2018 season comes around. He’s gone for good so I don’t know who he thinks he’s kidding.
Park
3rd September 2016, 21:22
So, we will have a proper press conference for JB’s retirement in 2018?
AntoineDeParis (@antoine-de-paris)
3rd September 2016, 21:45
I like them Ron Dennis shirts but his decisions are ridiculous. Alonso stays Button goes? lol
Josh__F (@josh__f)
4th September 2016, 1:05
Smart decision from both parties. Button remains at least a part of F1 in a few capacities and not severed completely from something he’s been part of for so long.
More importantly for McLaren, keeping Button in their stables will prevent any rival teams from nabbing Jensons knowledge and details about the MP4-32 and beyond – were he to have signed a contract with another team. That is now not going to happen.
He’s been a great racer and a great champion.
Maciek (@maciek)
4th September 2016, 3:57
A class act all the way that Jenson, good career, I hope he sticks around F1 for a long time to come in one capacity or another.
Greg Kingston (@gregkingston)
4th September 2016, 7:05
We never want our heroes to decline or retire, but it happens to them all unless they’re otherwise immortalised in death. Jenson’s had a great career. Some say that he lucked into his WDC but it is equally if not more true to say that he ‘lucked’ into some genuine dogs of cars.
I’d love to see him come back for one last swan song in 2018 but it seems a long shot so instead I’ll hope for a crazy rain affected race this season in which he manages to drag that McLaren on to the podium one final time.
While Williams’ pace only seems to be going backwards I would have loved to see him there for a season or two. I’d have remortgaged to get that Martini merchandise with his name on it!
rantingmrp (@rantingmrp)
4th September 2016, 7:19
Button lacks hunger and ambition. His comments after Lewis left McLaren for Mercedes marked him out as a person that would rather remain in a secure seat in which he won’t achieve much, rather than chance on something that’s still 50-50 but which could go either way. That’s why he is remaining at McLaren despite clearly having been sacked and replaced by Vandoorne.
Of course he will not race again, even in 2018, in F1 – a more ambitious driver would have taken the Williams seat that was his for the asking more or less.
And yes, he beat Lewis in 2011. Fair enough – of course Lewis beat him the other two seasons they were together.
tgu (@thegrapeunwashed)
4th September 2016, 8:09
Sad news, F1 will be duller without him, but he’s had a fantastic career. Thanks Jenson!
Lauri (@f1lauri)
4th September 2016, 8:24
Just realized that Mika Häkkinen is at Monza and Jenson decided to take a sabbatical year, just like Mika did. A coincidence? Or well played by McLaren…