Webber doubts Button's Monaco commitment

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Former F1 driver Mark Webber is wondering if Jenson Button is taking his one-off return to Formula 1 in Monaco 'seriously enough'.

Button we be subbing for Indy 500-bound Fernando Alonso in the Principality, and has ramped-up his physical preparation for the glitzy event while also getting acquainted with McLaren's new-spec car in the team's simulator.

But the fact that he did not test the MCL32 at Bahrain when the opportunity arose has Webber scratching his head and questioning the 2009 world champion's commitment.

"When I heard that he (Button) wouldn't do the Bahrain test, I wondered if he was taking it seriously enough," Webber told Speed Week.

"For me, if he's doing a triathlon in America rather than a test in Bahrain, I think first practice in Monaco will be a wake-up call for him.

"I just get the impression that he doesn't really care about it," the former Red Bull driver added.

Vandoorne sees 'character-building' positives in McLaren's troubles

But Webber said Button's return is little more than a sideshow anyway, amid McLaren-Honda's crisis and the title fight between Ferrari and Mercedes.

"It's a non-story," he said.

"He'll drive, have problems with the fuel system, qualify 16th, retire after 12 laps or whatever. What's the point? Jenson is a world champion. He has won at Monaco.

"It would be a story if he could fight for the win, but to get a point if he's lucky, that really doesn't interest anyone," Webber added.

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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.