SUZUKA, JAPAN // McLaren are hopeful that Jenson Button will remain with the Formula One team for 2016, a senior member of the British marque confirmed on Friday.
The 2009 world champion’s future has been in doubt after a disappointing year. Problems with the new Honda engine have led to McLaren having their most uncompetitive season since 1980, with 17 points scored in the first 13 races of the season.
Button, 35, has scored six points, and there was speculation ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix that he would announce his retirement from the sport.
He was coy on his plans on Thursday and said talks with McLaren were continuing.
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Jonathan Neale, the team’s chief operating officer, said they were keen for Button, who has been with them since 2010 and has won eight races, to stay on.
“Jenson is a fantastic guy, a world champion and a big part of the family at Honda and McLaren,” Neale said.
“He’s been with us for six seasons and we’re contracted with him, we want him to stay, we like him very much.”
However, Neale seemed to support claims that Button, who made his F1 debut in 2000, had lost his passion for the sport as he added: “If your driver doesn’t really want to be in the seat, we have to respect that.
“I really hope that we have done enough between us to continue those discussions with him and have the confidence to have him with us, and that’s what we’d like.”
Button was 12th in practice on Friday at a wet Suzuka ahead of Sunday’s 53-lap race, with teammate Fernando Alonso in 17th spot.
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