2009 champion says McLaren his "best option" in F1 for next year
Thursday 2 October 2014 14:07, UK
A cautious Jenson Button was tight-lipped on his future ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix admitting he doesn’t know when his 2015 plans will be resolved.
The 2009 World Champion is out of contract at McLaren at the end of the season and following the Singapore GP told reporters he was confident of being on the grid next year.
That has been his attitude throughout most of the season, but when quizzed at Suzuka, Button struck a far more cautious tone.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked in the FIA Press Conference if his future would be decided soon. “As you know I cannot discuss anything to do with the contract.”
When pressed if McLaren was his only option to remain in F1 Button’s reply was brief, adding “it is the best option.”
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ later, Button added: "I am just doing my job, enjoying my racing, and I think l am doing a great job – especially on Sundays, when it counts. Off the circuit, as normal, I do exactly what l am asked to do and, I feel, a lot more."
McLaren have been heavily linked with a move for Fernando Alonso as well as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton as they rekindle a partnership with Honda that won four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ titles between 1988 and 1991. However, the Japanese firm told Sky Sports News HQ that no decision has been made on a driver line-up.
“We are constantly talking about which drivers we would like to see and whilst McLaren is here in Japan it is only natural that we organise some meetings with McLaren,” Honda's Head of Motorsport Yasuhisa Arai said. “But I don’t think we will be discussing the topic of drivers given that nothing is decided.”
That contradicts comments made by McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier who said the decision was “more or less” made.
The 2014 Japanese GP is live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Extensive coverage of Race Day at Suzuka begins at 5.30am on Sunday with lights out at 7am.
