F1 News: Jenson Button set to announce retirement from the sport

McLaren Honda driver Jenson Button is all set to announce his retirement from the sport, according to various reports.

Button’s decision is believed to have been made after failed talks over a new contract with McLaren, despite lengthy talks with team boss Rod Dennis. He is currently in the second of a two-year deal, and although there is an option for a further year if both sides were to agree, it is unlikely that Button will be staying, with the clause also expiring at the end of September.

The British driver won the World Championship in 2009 with Brawn, but is having one of the worst seasons of his 16-year career, with McLaren languishing close to the bottom of the table in new engine partner Honda’s first season back in F1. Button himself has scored just six points this year, and failed to even finish Sunday’s Singapore GP.

The 35-year-old is currently the most experienced driver on the F1 grid, making 278 starts and winning 15 times in his 16-year-long career. That also makes him the third most experienced driver in F1.

“My head knows but my mouth and tongue doesn’t know. The joy of being in the car is only there if you’re fighting at the front, because you feel like you’re achieving something. If you’re fighting near the back you’re driving an F1 car, but you can easily get joy driving something else. The joy you get is competing. It’s about fighting at the front. It’s about the possibility of standing on top of the podium. That’s the joy of Formula One,” Button said after the Singapore GP, according to the Guardian.

If Button were to quit F1, he would likely move to the World Endurance Championship. He has also been linked the popular BBC show Top Gear.

Reserve driver Kevin Magnussen and GP2 driver Stoffel Vandoorne have been touted as replacements for Button, who is expected to make an announcement on his future at the upcoming Japanese GP at Suzuka.

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