Button: No reason to leave McLaren

Jenson Button

Jenson Button has dismissed reports linking him with a move away from McLaren, stating that he is perfectly happy with the British team.

Button, who won the world championship in 2009, was rumored to be unhappy with the team’s performance this season and subsequently looking into a move away from Woking. However, the Briton has rubber-stamped his faith in McLaren to bounce back soon.

“If this was a team that was consistently finishing fourth or fifth in championship then of course I would look elsewhere," Button told Autosport. "In that case, I would look to one of the front running teams to step up to, somewhere that could give me a race-winning car.

“But this isn’t a team that is finishing four or fifth in the constructors. This is a bad year and in years to come this team will be fighting for world championships. I am not looking around like some people might think."

Following Mark Webber’s confirmation that he would be retiring at the end of the season, some areas of the British media suggested that a move to Red Bull may be on the cards for Button. Christian Horner has stated that the defending world champions are only considering Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne and Kimi Raikkonen for the seat, ending any chances of Button moving to Red Bull.

However, such a move may be unwise for Button given Sebastian Vettel’s influence at Milton Keynes, coupled with Button’s own success at McLaren. Since joining in 2010, he has shown great maturity and talent as a driver, finishing second in the 2011 drivers’ championship. NBC Sports Network