Button ruled out of Penske-Acura IMSA drive

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Jenson Button was considered for a seat with Penske-Acura in IMSA for 2018 but was ultimately not included in the team's final line-up.

Penske Team Acura had put the former McLaren driver on its short list, and Button was hoping to join fellow big names Juan Pablo Montoya and Helio Castro Neves for a full-time seat with the American squad.

For reasons which have not been divulged, the Briton has been denied the chance to race in America's premier sports car series next season.

Button boxes his way to fitness in LA

"We were looking at a lot of different dynamics when we were putting this together," explained Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development.

"Of course, someone with Jenson Button's talent and also his pedigree with Honda is definitely someone that we had considered.

"But there were other circumstances that precluded him from being part of this program."

The setback hasn't diminished Button's ambition of putting together a full program for 2018.

It is believed that Honda has offered the 37-year-old a full-time job in Super GT next season in one of its Acura NSX cars, and a schedule which would allow for a participation in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Sebring 12 Hours and Petit Le Mans.

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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.