McLaren Group CEO Ron Dennis is adamant Jenson Button’s stay at Woking will extend beyond the current 2015 season.
The 2009 world champion had to wait until early December last year before being confirmed alongside Fernando Alonso, as senior management dilly-dallied to choose between him and former team-mate Kevin Magnussen.
McLaren-Honda has experienced an extremely challenging first half to its 2015 campaign, but Button managed to pick up the renewed partnership’s maiden points with a strong drive to eighth at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Besides Magnussen, the British team also has current GP2 Series points leader Stoffel Vandoorne on its books. The Belgian top prospect recently said he “felt ready for Formula One” and was “in regular talks” with Dennis and racing director Eric Boullier about his future.
However, the McLaren boss insists changing the squad’s driver line-up is the least of his priorities.
“Jenson Button has a two-year contract with McLaren,” Dennis told Sky Sports. “We are not even thinking about drivers at the moment. Both of them are doing an amazing job.”
“It would be very, very easy for both of them to be critical of McLaren - and they are not.”
Dennis’ comments about Button’s situation comes after he claimed team-mate Alonso had a “straight three-year contract with us, with no options”.
Click here for F1i's driver ratings from the British Grand Prix
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
The paddock is never short on whispers, and the current chatter surrounding the Aston Martin-Honda…
Haas F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan is charting a new path – and this time,…
After another hard-fought podium at Suzuka, Charles Leclerc has pointed directly at Ferrari’s flaw –…
Although the Formula 1 season is typically well underway by this point of the year,…
The soul of 1965 has officially broken cover in the 21st century. Sitting in solemn…
Max Verstappen is making noise again – but this time, it’s not from the front…