Button reveals contracts 'were ready to go' with Ferrari in 2012

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Jenson Button has revealed that he nearly passed through the golden gates of Maranello at the end of the 2012 F1 season, with contracts even drawn up between the Briton and Ferrari at the time.

The 2009 F1 world champion was heading into his third season with McLaren in 2012 when talks took place with the Scuderia about a possible move to the Italian outfit for 2013 and a potential drive alongside Fernando Alonso.

"Every driver would love to race for Ferrari at some point," Button told Motorsport News. "There’s just something about that team.

"Even this year [2020] it’s tough for them and tough for motorsport fans to see them where they are, but maybe they needed this to come back stronger.

"But I would love to have raced for Ferrari and there was a good possibility sort of eight years ago but it just didn’t materialise at the end.

"Pretty much contracts were ready to go and it almost happened, but for many different reasons it didn't and, to be fair, I was probably better off where I was anyway at McLaren."

Read also: Sainz says Ferrari transition will be 'a tough thing to do'

Button eventually prolonged his spell at McLaren and remained with the Woking based outfit until the end of 2016, hopping back onboard for a one-off at Monaco in 2017.

However, there were no wins for the Briton after his final Grand Prix triumph with McLaren at the Brazilian GP at the end of 2012.

As for Ferrari, the House of Maranello collected two wins in 2013 thanks to Alonso who went on to finish runner-up in the championship that year to Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.

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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.