London: Jenson Button will race for McLaren again next season, the Formula One team confirmed yesterday with a statement that ended speculation the 2009 world champion was heading for retirement.
Button said he was confident the team would overcome its “current difficulties” to achieve great successes in the future.
“That gives me great confidence, and it is for that reason that, together, (team chief Ron Dennis) and I have decided to continue our partnership,” he said after the team confirmed he would see out a contract that expires at the end of 2016.
“Okay, granted, this year has not been an easy one for us, but we know what we need to do to improve things,” said Button.
The second most successful team in Formula One, after Ferrari, are ninth out of 10 teams in their worst season.
Button, the last McLaren driver to win a race back in 2012, has scored just six points in 14 races this year and suffered repeated penalties and retirements.
Speculation that the most experienced driver on the starting grid, who won his title with Brawn GP, was planning to call it a day has swirled around for months.
Button’s continuation means he will join Michael Schumacher and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello as the only drivers to start 300 Grands Prix.