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Jenson Button has confirmed that he is keen to get back behind the wheel and race, but has stated he would not accept an offer to return to Formula 1. The Briton left the sport at the end of 2016, remaining on a two-year deal with McLaren as its reserve driver.
Button made a race appearance earlier this year at the Monaco Grand Prix, filling in for Fernando Alonso who was competing at the Indy 500. The 2009 world champion is at the Suzuka Circuit with McLaren this weekend, filling out contractional duties.
Button admitted that he perhaps stayed in F1 one year too long, but is now eager to get back to racing: "Do I miss F1? No I don't. I miss racing," he said. "I had sort of fallen out of love a little bit with motorsport, I think I maybe left it a year too long racing in Formula 1.
"I have been itching to drive anything to be fair, next year I will be racing something - I don't know what yet - whether it will be in America, Europe or Japan I don't know. There are a few options, I want to do a full season and take it properly seriously."
Button also said that he still watches F1, despite thinking that he wouldn't after 'retiring' at the end of last season. The 37-year-old is enjoying the ongoing battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, but is a bit disappointed that Ferrari has fallen back in the last two rounds.
"Yes, [I still watch F1]. I didn't think I would. After the last race in Abu Dhabi I thought I probably wasn't going to watch it because the driving is the bit I love. But I have watched it. This year it is an important year for Formula 1, it really is. With the way the cars are it is a big improvement, the drivers get out of the car and you can see they have been working hard.
"They are happy, they enjoy driving these cars which helps the sport, drivers are in a better place which helps the sponsors, helps the team and the fans love it. Also you have two or three teams fighting for wins and that hasn't been the case for so long.
"I think having the fight with Ferrari and Mercedes is great for the sport, it is a shame the last two races turned out how they have because it is a big gap in the championship now. I think Formula 1 is in a good place, it really is, and having three teams fighting it out is what needs to continue in the future."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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