Button certain to get back behind the wheel

Jenson Button will give up his seat at McLaren at Stoffel Vandoorne in 2017. The announcement was made this afternoon in the Monza paddock in the presence of the 2009 world champion.

Unlike Felipe Massa who announced on Thursday September 1 that he would retire at the end of the season, Jenson Button insisted that he did not intend to hang up his helmet for good.

“I am delighted to remain an important member of McLaren, commented Jenson Button. I'm actually excited about my future role which is the result of intense discussions with Ron (Dennis, McLaren boss). I look forward to being even more involved in the team's efforts to achieve success. I love McLaren, I believe they have the best people to work with and I have no intention of driving for any other team F1."

Jenson Button also highlighted his desire to step back and be able to devote more time to his private life, while stressing that he kept in mind the idea of ​​getting back behind the wheel.

“I want to be clear that I am not retiring, said the 36-year-old Briton. I will be under contract in 2017 and 2018. I plan to work hard on the development of the car and I am sure that I will be behind the wheel of this new car at a certain time. »

Jenson Button, who began his F1 career at Williams in 2000, has defended the colors of McLaren for six seasons. To date, he has 297 Grand Prix starts, to which are added 14 victories and 50 podiums.