GOLDEN MOMENTS
Button’s back.. but he rules out another win
JENSON BUTTON will return to the scene of his 2009 Monaco Grand Prix triumph – but admits he has no chance of repeating the victory.
The former world champion confirmed he will replace Fernando Alonso for the race on May 28 when the Spaniard opts out of F1 for a weekend to compete in the Indianpolis 500.
Button, who drove his Brawn to victory on the street circuit on the way to his only world title, now lives in Monaco – but he will not even have any track time in this season’s car before the race.
He said: “I’m thrilled to be making a one-off return to Formula One racing, and I couldn’t think of a better place to make that return than my adopted home Grand Prix – Monaco. It’s one of my all-time favourite racetracks.
“I realise we won’t have a realistic chance of repeating my 2009 victory, but I think we’ll have an opportunity to score world championship points, which will be very valuable to the team in terms of constructors’ rankings.”
The 37-year-old is on a £5million retainer with McLaren this year after quitting last season but he has passed up the opportunity to get a taste of track action in next week’s two-day test.
He could also have got behind the wheel in practice for the Spanish Grand Prix – the race preceding Monaco – but both parties decided against the move.
Button added: “I’ll drive the McLaren around Monaco in the simulator beforehand, and I reckon I’ll be ready for the race after doing that.
“I’m supremely fit, having done a lot of triathlon training recently, so I have no worries on that score. And it’ll be nice to say ‘hi’ to all my old Formula One mates, too, and hopefully give the fans something to cheer about.”
Eric Boullier, McLaren’s racing director, said: “He is very talented, a world champion, and he has a long experience in Formula One and I can guarantee you by lap 10 of first practice in Monaco he will be OK.”
And Boullier added: “Jenson was our choice from day one. He has been racing all his life, so I am not surprised he said yes.”