But while that means Abu Dhabi could yet be the final act of a 15-year career in Formula One racing, the 2009 world champion insists he is relaxed about his situation, and excited about his prospects - wherever he ends up...
Q: Jenson, the fact McLaren won't make an announcement regarding their driver line-up before December 1 hasn't eased your situation. How are you going about that?
Jenson Button: Now it's fine. To be honest it was tricky before Japan - but it opens your eyes to different challenges and you suddenly start to understand that Formula One is not the only place. There are many exciting things out there - if I am not here next year. Right now I am enjoying my racing. My time in the car has always been the best thing for me about Formula One - and it still is. But it's also a fact that nowadays there is a bigger difference between out of the car and in the car than there used to be.
Q: There are many fans out there anxious to hear about your future…
JB: …probably more anxious than I am! I do get a lot of messages on social networks and some people seem to get pretty angry about my situation - but for me it is different. I am a very relaxed individual. Formula One is a great place to be - but there are also other things in life that are great challenges. I am going to enjoy this weekend, and then let's see what the future brings.
Q: Fernando Alonso was quoted yesterday as saying that if he does move to McLaren, he wants you to stay there…
JB: …I am not so sure he said that. But I have nothing to add to my whereabouts in 2015. All I know is that this is the last weekend of the year - and it might be the last F1 weekend for me.
Q: Are you ready to call it quits?
JB: If you'd asked me three months ago I'd say of course not - I've been here for 15 years! But in uncertain times you take the blinkers off and look at the other options.
Q: Since 2002 you've outscored all your team mates over the course of a season at least once - and there are some very prominent names amongst them! Do you understand why there are issues in finding a competitive cockpit for 2015?
JB: You don't have to tell me that. I know!
Q: Looking at the season - not only for yourself but also for the whole sport - what would be your summary?
JB: The sport has had highs and lows. Two massive lows: the biggest obviously the accident of Jules (Bianchi), and losing two teams - true Caterham is back for this weekend with funding from fans and sponsors, but will that really be substantial? But of course there have been a lot of positives as well: the racing has been great this year - great fights. But we all have to work together to make it a better sport. There is still a lot room for improvement.
Q: Should this be your farewell, can you name some of the most emotional moments from your long F1 career?
JB: First was Barcelona 15 years ago when Frank Williams sat down with me and told me I had a drive. It was a very emotional moment with my dad at the track and with my mum on the telephone. Since then there have been so many highs and lows. I am very lucky having been in this sport for so long - and found something that I am good at. But I am also working unbelievably hard: every race I do, I learn - and my guess is that there are not many drivers out there who have picked up as much as I have and still kept the hunger to want to race and succeed.
Q: And coming back to more recent times?
JB: Brazil two weeks ago was good. But despite what people might believe, there has been a lot of positive racing this year. Of course I've also had my share of frustration having been so close at times to that illusive podium, and not making it.
Q: If you look how things went today - was it a promising prelude to a possible farewell weekend?
JB: We had some issues in the first practice session - I only did eight laps. The afternoon was significantly better, but when you miss out so much running you have to catch-up - and that was pretty promising. But any prediction that you would risk on Friday mostly doesn't stand the reality of qualifying, so let's wait and see what happens tomorrow.
Q: Should you risk a view into a crystal ball, what other future is out there for you in racing? Didn't Mark Webber write that you should join him in endurance racing...
JB: I've had some good chats with people about racing in WEC. Who knows! It looks very interesting and you obviously give it a bit of a thought. I am not stupid. I want to race next year. I want to be in a category that is competitive. And yes, it could be an exciting challenge.
Q: Have you been contacted by teams?
JB: Maybe.