Jenson Button is eyeing a return to full-time motor racing in 2018 - although almost certainly not in Formula 1.
The former world champion retired from Grand Prix racing at the end of last season. However he remains McLaren's official reserve driver, and filled in for Indy 500-bound Fernando Alonso at Monaco.
McLaren still has an option on Button's services for next year. While Stoffel Vandoorne's contract has been renewed, Alonso's status beyond the end of the current season is still up in the air.
But it's thought unlikely that Button would agree to a full-time return to Formula 1. Instead it seems that his future is more likely to lie in Japan.
This weekend, the 37-year-old is taking part in the Suzuka 1000km, the flagship race on the Super GT calendar. He'll be teaming up with Le Mans track record holder Kamui Kobayashi, along with with Hideki Mutok and Daisuke Nakajima.
Button has confirmed that he's looking for a full-time drive in the championship next year.
"I will be definitely doing something next year for a full season," the Englishman told Motorsport.com. "Whether it's here or in America or somewhere else, I don't know yet.
"But the discussions are underway.
"We'll see how this weekend goes. If it goes well and if I enjoy the weekend, which I think I will, then maybe I could be racing here next year."
For much of his motorsports career, Button has enjoyed good relations with Japanese manufacturer Honda. However, the Mugen-Honda squad is currently trailing Lexus in Super GT.
Button admitted that winning was out of the question, and just lasting the distance would be an achievement.
"In terms of where I can finish I really don't know," he said. "It's the longest race of the year in Super GT.
"It's not going to be an easy race but we will do all we can and make sure everything we do is perfect.
"If we do that, we've done the best we can, then the result will hopefully be there."
Based on his testing work so far, Button rated the Honda NSX-GT as comparable to the performance of Formula 1 cars.
"Through the corners, it feels like a Formula 1 car, which is pretty spectacular," he said.
"The cars are great to drive. They are fast, here's a lot of downforce and you can carry a lot of speed through the corners.
"Lots to learn. But I've always looked forward to a new challenge."
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