2016 Formula 1 Season Paddock

and he's the reserve driver , has a 2 year contract and Alonso's is up at the end of next year . McLaren keeps Button's sponsors happy because he is still with the team

Win / Win

 

Unless you want to be a champion.

 

You mean like Button ?

 

Good chance the pecking order will switch up next season

 

McLaren could be challenging for wins

 

One and done. I don't think so. Every driver wants to be a multiple champion.

 

You know how many F1 drivers never win a race let alone a Championship ?

 

I'm sure it's a lot but to for a driver to ride the pine while others are on track racing doesn't seem like a win/win.

 

You don't get that Button wanted to take a year off but he still was able to retain a contract for 2 years with McLaren keeping his foot in the door while he decides if he wants to race in 2018 ? From his perspective how is that not a huge win ?

 

Next year will be aero dominated and there will be no limitations on developments on the power unit side

 

I'm just saying if I was a driver I'd want to drive.

 

That misses the point that he wants to take a year off though

 

For all intents and purposes, he is retired (unless Alonso hangs it up after next year).

 

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24...ne-jenson-button-as-off-track-dominated-monza

 

I agree with Oz, I think Jensen made the call. He is bored being a back marker and feels his time would be better served on personal pursuits. There doesn't seem to be much of a chance of podiums or wins for MacHonda this year or next. Did you see Button got divorced after a brief marriage?

With the additional focus on aero next year RedBull should be a contender and Merc and Ferrari will be in the mix. The best MacHonda can hope for at his point is the best of the rest, and even that will be a job.

 

So Bernie has been asked to stay on for 3 years after the Liberty Media takeover goes through

 

Honda has seperate team working in their 2017 engine

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126087

 

Yep.

I'm not disagreeing that Jenson is getting a decent deal, just that he initiated it or necessarily wants it as-is. If he wasn't on such solid footing financially within the McLaren organization Ron Dennis would have tossed him out the door like yesterday's trash.

 

I don't see him coming back a better driver, I think it should be a retirement and he ought to jump into WEC like Webber.

 

So you don't think he has a massive value to McLaren as a hugely experienced reserve driver and with simulator work for next season with the regulation changes ?