Mclaren pays tribute to “brilliant” Button as he prepares to split with team
Mclaren has paid tribute to British F1 hero Jenson Button, after confirming his contract with the Woking firm will come to an end this year.
Button has been part of the Mclaren set-up since joining the team as reigning world champion in the winter of 2009. Since then he has contested 137 grands prix for the team, scoring eight wins.
Button sits second in Mclaren’s alltime appearances list, only beaten by David Coulthard’s nine-year stint with the squad from 1996-2004.
Mclaren’s Eric Boullier told Sky Sports: “Jenson has been a brilliant driver and ambassador for us, for Formula 1 and for England as well.
“His contract is ending at the end of this year, but he will always be part of the Mclaren family and always have a special place with us.
“That’s life and this is another step and another chapter, with Lando [Norris, European F3 champion] stepping in to the third driver role.”
Button parts ways with Mclaren as he plans to return to racing full-time next year. He has competed only twice this year – at Monaco with Mclaren and the Suzuka 1000km Japanese Super GT round.
“Next year I will race something,” said Button. “I don’t know what yet, whether it will be in America, Europe or Japan.
“There are a few options but I want to do a full season.”