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Jenson Button has effectively ruled out a return to Formula 1 in 2018, stating that he is not interested in a full season of Formula 1 racing. Button will make his first Grand Prix appearance since Abu Dhabi 2016 next weekend in Monaco, replacing Fernando Alonso who will contest the indy 500.
Alonso's future at McLaren is in heavy doubt, and many are suggesting that Button will be the man to come back to take over his seat should the Spaniard decide to depart the team.
However, ahead of Monaco, Button has said that he is relishing the chance to race at Monaco again but insists that it is a once off and has no desire to race again in 2018.
"Of course when the chance came to race in Monaco I was going to take it," Button said. "I don't want to be racing in F1 for a whole season because I've done my time in F1. I've loved most of my career but it was time for me to have a break. To come back for the Monaco GP - that is just the dream."
"It's a one-off race where I'm going to have fun," he added. "Abu Dhabi was the end of my F1 career, really. It was a very emotional and special weekend. Monaco is very different, it's a one-off."
The 2009 world champion also revealed that he had plenty of offers to race this season, but none of them interested him: "I had so many options to race this year it is hilarious," Button continued. "That even went into this year with two different teams asking me to race. I have no interest in doing that."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (4)
Login to replyianf1
Posts: 185
Seems like there were more offers to race than genuine seats for this year, judging by this story and the Crashtor story earlier today.
I'd love to see Jenson back in the McLaren next year, but he's not a fool, he wouldn't do it with Honda in the mess they're in right now.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I'm guessing Williams offered him a seat, not sure who else.. Maybe Sauber to replace Wehrlein for the first two rounds
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
If memory serves me Claire said she had offered him a seat for 2017. Its no surprise that he was offered seats though, he has the skill to benefit any team, and the funds to convince those who would only accepts pay drivers. I think he is more likely to join a series like WEC or (if rumours are true) join Honda's Super GT program.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I think he'll get into rallycross