Yahoo Autos Jenson Button Is Taking a Break From F1 Next Year
Just days after Williams driver Felipe Massa announced his retirement, McLaren-Honda driver Jenson Button has announced that he's not retiring from F1, but not necesarrily racing, either. Instead, Button will remain part of the team, but 24-year-old Stoffel Vandoorne will take over his seat for the 2017 season.
McLaren-Honda made this announcement Saturday, in what the team is terming a "innovative three-driver strategy." Button has signed a two-year contract extension with McLaren-Honda, where he will assist in the development of its cars, but only race if he's called upon.
"My whole life as an adult has been driving a Formula 1 car," said Button in an interview. "Sometimes you need a break, and I want to live by my schedule next year.
Taking a break, NOT retiring, @JensonButton explains all.... pic.twitter.com/N1sLByyUqv
- Formula 1 (@F1) September 3, 2016
Button is well known as being disappointed in McLaren-Honda's lackluster performance this year, much of which has to do with Honda's finicky powerplant, but it's unclear if that's a factor in his 2017 sabbatical. For what it's worth, Button had good things to say about the team in a statement.
"I love McLaren-Honda–I firmly believe it's made up of the best bunch of people I've ever worked with–and I have no intention of ever driving for another Formula 1 team," said Button. "I'm contracted for both 2017 and 2018, I intend to work hard on car-development, and I'm sure I'll get behind the wheel of the new car at some point"
Button won the World Championship in 2009 with Brawn GP and has won 15 Grands Prix over his 17-year career. He's certainly earned himself a break, but it seems like his racing career isn't quite over. Perhaps in 2018, he'll return, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him in sports car racing too.
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