Following days of intense media speculation that he is about to retire, the McLaren driver, when asked at the official press conference what his plans are, smiled cheekily and replied: "What, today, or after this?"

"I can't give you anything else really since the last race, there's no more information to give you," he continued. "So you're going to have to wait for a little while I'm sorry to say.

"But we're in good talks, the team and myself, so that's it. We are here to concentrate on this weekend. It's a big weekend for us, McLaren-Honda, in front of the home, Honda's home crowd at their circuit. We hope that we can have a good weekend.

"Obviously the weather mixes it up a bit, which is what we need to be properly competitive," added the Briton who revels in such conditions. "We'll focus on the weekend and hope for a reasonable result."

When asked "how much is a little bit", in reference to his initial response, and the suggestion that "talks" are continuing, again Button laughed.

"There are so many possibilities about what could happen next year," he said. "So many possibilities. But I've got nothing else for you, I'm sorry to say."

When it became clear that he was unable/unwilling to say anything further on "his plans", Button was asked about his mind-set.

"I don't think any driver has joy when they are not fighting for victories," he replied. "That's what we're here to do, that's what we love, it's the challenge of fighting at the front and the possibility of fighting at the front.

"I don't like finishing fourteenth, I don't like finishing tenth," he continued, "that's not what gives me joy, that's not what excites me.

"But there are so many other things that if they work in your favour or you see a future, there's the possibility of joy coming back," he added.

Asked if his future really is in his own hands or whether there are contractual obligations, Button's smile faded.

"I can't go any further with my comments on that," he replied. "But, I'll be happy next year, that's the important thing," he added, the smile slowly returning.

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