Boullier on Button: 'A class act, fit as a fiddle!'

Jenson Button's return to active duty for the Monaco Grand Prix was McLaren's most logical decision given its limited options.

Still, the 2009 world champion's return for a one-off stint, while it won't be behind the wheel of a competitive car, is a welcomed one, for McLaren and for the Brit's fans.

"I was truly delighted when Jenson accepted our suggestion that he race at Monaco instead of Fernando," said McLaren racing director Eric Boullier.

"And I know I speak on behalf of everyone at McLaren-Honda, and all our sponsor-partners and fans too, when I say that it’s great news for Jenson, for McLaren, for Honda, for our sponsor-partners, for Monaco, and for the sport of Formula 1."

Boullier predictably holds Button in high regard, and has no concerns over his ability to race.

"Jenson is a class act. He’s a superb driver – fast, smooth and precise – and he won’t have lost any of his competitive edge over the past few months.

"After all, he’s missed only a handful of Grands Prix since his last outing in Abu Dhabi in late November last year, and he’s as fit as a fiddle.

"Also, he’s always been good at Monaco. He’ll do a great job for us, I’m sure of that.

Button steps in to replace Alonso for Monaco!

Boullier insisted however that Button's Monaco drive was a one-off affair, with Alonso determined to pick up where he will be leaving off after his tribulations at teh Indy 500 venture.

"Fernando will be back at the wheel of the McLaren-Honda MCL32 in Montreal, and I hope he’ll have some great stories to bring back to us from Indianapolis.

"You couldn’t get two more different racetracks than Monaco and Indy – one of them a twisty and bumpy street course and the other a mega-high-speed banked super-speedway bowl – but that’s the beauty of our sport.

"It also reflects the technical versatility of McLaren and Honda. And it underlines the fact that we’re racers, above everything else."

GALLERY: All the pictures from Thursday in Bahrain

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.