Speaking at Silverstone, where he is racing the two-time world champion in this weekend's round of the World Endurance Championship, Jenson Button said that in the right circumstances Fernando Alonso will return to Formula One.

Earlier this week, Alonso announced that he would not be racing in F1 in 2019, however, while making clear that there were other challenges he was relishing he didn't entirely close the door to a future F1 return.

The ambiguity of the release recalled that of McLaren's infamous three-driver strategy release of 2016, when the Woking outfit revealed that Jenson Button had extended his contract but said little about the Englishman actually driving, rather that he would "play an active role as a key member of the team".

In fact, Button made just one more appearance in the cockpit of the McLaren, standing in for Alonso in Monaco as the Spaniard contested the Indy 500 last year.

While Alonso heads off, most likely to IndyCar, Button believes that the Spaniard may yet return to F1, but admits that the conditions would have to be right, rather than a potential replay of the last few seasons.

"It's always down to the individual when they choose to leave Formula One," Button told reporters. "He has done the same thing as what I chose to do, leave but leave it open for one year after, to go back. I think that's the right option to do.

"If the McLaren's quick and it's winning races, he'll be back to Formula One, definitely," added the Briton.

"Every driver in the world would love to be in a winning car in Formula One," admitted the 2009 world champion. "You retire, I think, because you get bored of the travel and the stress of it, and if your results aren't there, there's no reason to be there.

"If the car is quick, I'm sure he'd want to jump back in in 2020."

Alonso is scheduled to test an IndyCar next month in Alabama, though a decision on his plans for 2019 isn't due until October.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Paolo, 20/08/2018 12:03

"He had his chance and through petulance in his earlier career almost made himself unemployable, only McLaren were daft enough to give him a second chance after costing them £100mil. To be fair he did reward them with a few points in car that was cr*p but that fell way short of repaying the money. There are plenty of other talented peddlers out there that deserve a chance. IMO he does not have a divine right to jump in/out of F1 when it suits him."

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2. Posted by Editor, 19/08/2018 22:24

"@ Insane Reindeer

You missed out the bit about... "20% introductory discount for all visitors to the Kimoa website""

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3. Posted by Insane Reindeer, 19/08/2018 21:38

"I thought that this was the obvious answer to that awfully vague statement that Alonso made. I read it as "I seriously can't be ****d to do this next year. I am doing this now so that you will all write about me and make me feel good. Also Carlos Snr has given me his word that as soon as McLaren and Renault get their crap together and make a decent car that his son will happily give me back my seat. This way I get lots of nice feel good publicity, a whole year to do whatever I like and then I can come back and start winning again. Thanks everyone and see you in 2020.""

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4. Posted by Fambank, 19/08/2018 20:16

"Please no."

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Button: Alonso could return to F1

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