22/09/2011
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
Jenson Button has laughed off suggestions he could be on his way to Ferrari in 2013.
Rumours first arose in May after the Englishman revealed he'd always dreamed of driving for the Italian marque. The suggestion raised its head again in the wake of the Canadian Grand Prix, where the 2009 world champion came together with his teammate in a race he went on to win with a dramatic final lap pass.
Latest claims suggest Button, who was recently all but confirmed with McLaren for 2012, would join Ferrari in place of Felipe Massa for the following year, fulfilling his childhood dreams. Button however has rubbished the story, saying the idea was "hilarious because it's not true. I don't know who put that out there, but it wasn't us and it wasn't Ferrari."
Given his current role as joint-team leader alongside Lewis Hamilton, a move to Ferrari where he would play second fiddle to Fernando Alonso seems unlikely. Indeed Martin Whitmarsh has revealed the broader McLaren company hopes to work with Button beyond his Formula One career. "We're looking to do a deal that will see him race for McLaren for the rest of his career.
"That may be for the next three years or the next five years. Who knows? Jenson is a mature and very intelligent guy. He is still as fit as a flea and still hungry to race.
"He could take on an ambassador's role for McLaren. We're looking into GT racing and Le Mans and there's no reason why he can't use his experience in those projects."