Button set for swansong after declaring Abu Dhabi will be last race

0 Jenson Button: F1 finale. Jenson Button expects the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to be his last in Formula 1 as he prepares to bring the curtain down on his world championship-winning career.

Button, who has competed in more than 300 races following 17 consecutive seasons in the sport, will not be on the grid next year. His decision to stand down from Mclaren – with Stoffel Vandoorne replacing Button next year – had been sold as a sabbatical.

While Mclaren still have an option to bring Button back into the fold in 2018, yesterday the Briton sounded like a man who is ready to call time on his glittering career.

“I go into this weekend thinking it is going to be my last race, and I think that is the best way to be,” said Button ahead of the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit.

“At this moment in time I do not want to be racing in Formula 1 past this race.

“It is true that I have a contract for 2018 but at this moment in time I don’t want to be racing in 2018.”

Under his new ambassadorial role with Mclaren, Button will still attend some of the grands prix next season as back-up to Vandoorne and Fernando Alonso, but his definitive plans are unclear. He has been earmarked as a pundit, while he stressed he is keen to take part in more triathlons. A career in rallycross, once pursued by his late father John Button, is also an option.

Button began his career at Williams in 2000 before spells with Renault, BAR and then Honda. The Japanese manufacturer quit the sport at the end of 2008, leaving Button without a drive, but a consortium led by Ross Brawn took over the team at the 11th hour and, in one of sport’s most remarkable fairytales, Button claimed the world title in the following season, with Brawn winning the constructors’ championship.

“I came from nothing and we ended up winning the world championship,” said Button. “I will definitely step away from Formula 1 happy with what I have achieved and knowing that my life really does start now.”