Abu Dhabi: As rumours swirled that it may be his last grand prix on Sunday, a defiant Jenson Button insisted on Saturday evening: “I’m not going anywhere.”
Button’s future is shrouded in uncertainty following reports that he will be replaced at McLaren by Fernando Alonso, who confirmed his exit from Ferrari on Thursday.
But speaking at an event for watchmaker Tag Heuer, for which he is an ambassador, the 34-year-old made it clear he would have to be axed by his team rather than leaving willingly.
How would he like to be remembered when he retires from the sport?
The 2009 world champion, speaking at the Yas Viceroy Hotel ahead of Sunday’s Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, snapped back: “I don’t want to be remembered yet. I don’t think it’s necessary for me to sit here and say how I’d like to be remembered in the sport because I’m not going anywhere.”
Will he be returning to Abu Dhabi next year? Button said: “Racing? Yes, definitely racing. We have to wait until December for a decision on the other driver but, if I’m in Formula One, I want to be racing a Formula One car. It’s what I’ve done for my whole adult life.”
Button, who qualified eighth for Sunday’s race, added that he would not stay in F1 in any other capacity than as a racing driver. He went on to say: “I hope this isn’t my last grand prix, I really do because I feel I have a lot to give. Of course, there is something in the back of your mind thinking it possibly could be, so you have to enjoy it as much as you can.
“But I am here to do a job. And I can do the best job I can, but off circuit, with family and friends, we are talking about things more than we would normally.
“So far, I have enjoyed this weekend and it’s great having my family here.”
A veteran of 265 grands prix, with 15 wins to his name, Button insisted he was not stressed by the doubts surrounding his future in the sport.
He said: “When I was fighting for the world championship, that was one of the most stressful times, because you’re never sure if it’s going to happen again, so you give it your all.
“An F1 driver’s career is full of ups and downs, it’s a real rollercoaster ride but I’m not stressed now, I’m happy. It’s a very stressful world. It’s great. But very stressful and when it comes to the end of the season you have to enjoy yourself.”
Button, who later posed nervously with two gyrfalcons from Abu Dhabi Falconers’ Club, went on to praise the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“Every driver will say the circuit probably isn’t the most exciting, a lot of the old circuits are the ones we love, like Spa, Monza, Suzuka, but in terms of a whole package, it’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s a great show, this place is pretty awesome. The facilities are pretty fantastic and having the marina around it with the boats adds a bit of spice to the atmosphere. As an all-round experience, for spectators coming to watch, it’s one of the best races to come and watch.”
His mother and three sisters travelled to the Yas Marina Circuit to support him in Sunday’s race, but the man who knew him best, his father John, passed away in January.
“The one person who knew me best was the old boy,” Button said. “Whether I agreed with his comments, or not, I would still take it in and that’s what has been the toughest [thing for me’ these last two months. I can’t just bounce stuff off him.
“I’ve spoken to Richard [Goddard, his manager] and I find myself wanting to call dad and relay the information because I know he would love to hear all the different ideas that I have.
“But I obviously can’t do that. It’s made it very tricky, very emotional. I’m not a religious person, but I’m quite spiritual and he was as well. My missus [Jessica Michibata] is too. I’ll leave it at that.”
