Button: Difficult year has ‘bonded us together’

As speculation over his Formula One future continues, Jenson Button says McLaren’s tough 2015 campaign has brought him and the team closer together - hence his insistence he is not considering any other F1 options for next year.

Button and team mate Fernando Alonso have scored just 17 points between them this season, as McLaren and engine partners Honda struggle to make the MP4-30 competitive, though they did at least get both cars to the finish in Japan at the weekend.

“It wouldn’t feel right being anywhere else after so many years together,” said Button of his McLaren relationship. “Especially after such a difficult year as we are going through now. That has really bonded us together.

“If I am racing in F1 in 2016, it will be one hundred percent with McLaren. I feel that this team will achieve in the future - I [just] don’t know when that is.”

Unfortunately for Button, his difficult year continued at Suzuka, where the former champion could finish no higher than 16th - a result that again focussed the spotlight on what alternative paths he may consider in the future.

“There are a lot of things I can do,” he said. “I am in a lucky position to know that I am at the top of my game. I don’t feel old - if 35 years is old - and I think I am doing a very good job. And when leaving Formula One there are so many things I want to achieve - maybe also in another form of motor racing. But it’s not only racing - there are also other things I’d love to achieve as a sportsman.

“The most important thing from a selfish point of view is being happy - whether I am racing or not,” he added. “But the team has to be happy as well.”

Button has been with McLaren since 2010 and has scored eight Grand Prix wins for the Woking team, the last in Brazil in 2012.