Uncertainty surrounding Jenson Button’s Formula One future was removed on Wednesday morning when McLaren announced that the British driver has re-signed with the team for 2012 and beyond on a new, multi-year contract.
Button joined McLaren as reigning world champion at the start of 2010, winning two Grands Prix that season. This year he has taken a further two victories, leads team mate Lewis Hamilton by 17 points in the driver standings, and is Sebastian Vettel’s sole remaining rival for the 2011 title.
“I’ve never felt more at home at a team than I do at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes,” said Button.
“I’ve won four of the greatest races of my life here, I’m currently lying second in the drivers’ world championship, and I feel that I’m driving better than ever. You can only achieve that with the right level of support - and I truly believe that the passion and determination to win are stronger here at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes than anywhere else.
“As a Grand Prix driver, those are incredibly powerful feelings to share and be part of, and they’ve only reinforced my desire to commit my long-term future to this team. I’ve made no secret of my ambition to continue winning races and world championships, and I fully believe this is the place where I can achieve those aims. Formula 1
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh commented: “Jenson is a great driver and a great guy. In fact, I can safely say that he’s one of the most capable and respected drivers we’ve ever had, and I’m therefore absolutely delighted that he’ll continue to work with us into the future.
“He’s a considerable credit to this organisation, and I’m proud to be his Team Principal.”
Button added that he was looking forward to Sunday’s race and considered Japan his “second home” given his girlfriend Jessica Michibata is Japanese. He added that he felt it would be particularly special this year given the natural disasters suffered by the country this year.
“I am very happy that the race is going ahead; there is always the worry that it wouldn’t,” Button said. “The Japanese people need this event on the calendar after what they have been through.”
“They have had such a difficult time, not just with the earth quake and the tsunami, but also there have been other horrific things lately with a typhoon and another earthquake.”
“So it is great the grand prix is going ahead and hopefully we can make a lot of people happy and put a smile on a lot of people’s faces.” Telegraph.co.uk
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