17/09/2015
NEWS STORY
Jenson Button has revealed that he has had "good talks" with McLaren boss Ron Dennis as he strives to retain his seat for 2016.
Though he has a contract with the Woking team for 2016, it is by no means cut and dry that the 2009 world champion will line up on the grid in Melbourne in the second McLaren.
However, wary of last year, when he was kept on tenterhooks until mid-December before being confirmed as Fernando Alonso's teammate, Button wants a decision as soon as possible. Furthermore, he is adamant that he drives for McLaren or nobody.
Ron and myself have had some good chats," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "We've had some good talks, and hopefully that continues.
"If I'm in Formula One, I'm going to be with McLaren," he added. "I've had some difficult times, obviously here and the end of last year was very tough, but I've got a lot of time for this team."
Of course, that 2015 drive turned out to be something of a poisoned chalice, the Honda power unit woefully uncompetitive from the outset.
However, though the Briton and his teammate have endured a nightmare season - which shows no immediate sign of improving - both have continued to keep the faith, insisting that things will get better.
Though it is understood his salary will be a major sticking point, Button is one of the most popular drivers on the grid, something that will not be lost on Dennis as he seeks to undo the damage caused this year and attract new sponsors. Furthermore, Button, given the circumstances, has not been overly outshone by his teammate.
"I've been here for many years," he said. "We've had some really good times. I've won eight races with this team, finished second in the world championship in 2011, and had some really good fights with team-mates at this team. I've got a lot of friends, so this is definitely the team that I'll be with if I'm in Formula 1 next year.
"I really do think that this team, in the future, will be fighting at the front," he insisted. "It's just whether I'll be here or not is another question."
Asked about his options should McLaren opt not to retain him, Button, who has been linked with WEC, said: "I'm very tricky as I'm sure every racing driver is. We're very emotional when it comes to motorsport, it's been our life for so many years. Since I was eight years old, I've had a steering wheel in front of me and a crash helmet on my head.
"When you're making decisions on where your future takes you, it's very, very difficult. So one day you're one direction, one day you're the other.
"Well, maybe not One Direction," he added, "because they've split up. Maybe that's the future career."
Didn't Jacques Villeneuve once describe Button as a "boy band"?
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