As the sport heads into the winter break, it is inevitable that real news is going to be thin on the ground. However, Jenson Button's admission than he seriously considered walking away from the sport can hardly be considered ‘news’ at all, for at one stage it seemed a distinct possibility.

The Briton, and teammate Fernando Alonso, for the most part did a superb job in keeping up the facade. As the grid penalties mounted and the midfield headed into the distance, both drivers did their best to keep the faith, insisting that things would improve, often appearing to need to convince themselves as much as anyone else.

From time to time however, the mask would slip, the clenched teeth behind the grin would show, as the duo were pushed almost to breaking point.

In late summer, as talk of contracts filled the air, it appeared that Button wasn't too bothered. Whilst he clearly wanted to continue racing, it was obvious he didn't want to put himself through this fortnightly ritual of anguish.

However, rather than leaving the popular Briton dangling, as in 2014, McLaren agreed a new deal whilst the season was still unfolding, keeping Button on board for a seventh season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, there were no surprises as the Briton admitted how close he came to hanging up his helmet.

"Last year I wasn't sure If I'd be racing and it wasn't my choice," he said, referring to the delay in confirming his 2015 drive until mid-December 2014. "This year it was totally my choice and there was a moment where I thought 'I am not sure I want to do this anymore and be where we are'. Obviously if we are where we are right now next year it is not going to be that enjoyable.

"I spent a lot of time with the engineers and the aerodynamicists and I spoke more with Ron in the two months when I was trying to decide what to do next year than I have in my whole time at McLaren," he admitted. "So that got me excited, that got me pumped for next year knowing that there are big improvements on the horizon, and we need them."

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by karel, 15/12/2015 6:16

"Well it's sad to hear that, Button to my opinion, is a well manered racer, Brawn made him a world champion in an unbeatable car. He's got respect and he is fast. Time for Mclaren to push-up their game or they might loose two big champions"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Jonno, 11/12/2015 20:35 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 12/12/2015 9:28)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

3. Posted by Paul C, 11/12/2015 5:20

"McLaren-Honda had so many stupid power unit penalties Button could have walked away from his can and no one would have known it. McLaren-Honda 2015 is a case study for eliminating the counterproductive token policy for car development."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by nonickname, 10/12/2015 15:54 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 12/12/2015 9:28)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

Rating: Neutral (0)

5. Posted by Jonno, 10/12/2015 15:35

"Who is Button trying to kid? He's going to collect £xmillion next year, no matter how well the McLaren turns out. Whatever he's thinking of doing after leaving F1, it won't earn him anything like what he's getting now and all he needs do is go through the motions if he's sat in a camel again.
"

Rating: Negative (-3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Button admits to considering quitting

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page