Doubt creeps into Button’s McLaren future

JENSEN BUTTON’S F1 career has taken on a hint of uncertainty as McLaren make it clear that they want to attract Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso to their team.

The British team wants Alonso as lead driver for when they enter a new engine partnership with Honda in 2015, and are keeping quiet on their plans for other drivers until they receive an answer from the Spaniard.

Button, for his part, is out of contract, but has indicated that he would like to remain at McLaren. At 34-years-old, and with 14-years of Formula 1 driving behind him, it could mean the end of his F1 career if he were to be dropped.

Speaking to BBC F1at the Belgian Grand Prix, he said: “We haven’t sat down and talked about it.

“If I have to retire at the end of the season then so be it, but I feel I have so much more to give and I can’t imagine life without motorsport and especially Formula 1.”

McLaren have refused to finalise their drivers until they know their strategy going forward, and it seems that Alonso is a big part of their future plans.

With Honda investing heavily in the 2015 campaign, they want an ‘A-list’ driver to lead the team, and the Spanish two-time champion fits the bill.

Alonso has driven previously for McLaren. He signed a three-year contract back in 2007, but it was terminated after he fell out with McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

The Ferrari driver is keeping quiet on whether or not he is considering McLaren’s offer. It is believed that he will most likely be staying at Ferrari until his contract ends in 2016; however, Alonso is determined to win a third title.

Sebastian Vettel has forced him into second place in three out of the last four F1 championships, and the question remains whether or not Alonso views Ferrari as his best bet to that coveted podium spot.