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Le Mans and rallycross on Button's future agenda

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McLaren driver Jenson Button isn't ready to quit Formula 1 yet, but the 2009 World Champion has given his future some thought for when the time comes to leave Grand Prix racing.

In addition to continuing running triathlons, a huge passion of his, Button believes Le Mans would interest him if a decent package is sent his way.

But the British driver also considered rallycross as an appealing prospect.

"Yeah, I don’t know what I’m going to do, I haven’t really thought about," he told NBC Sports.

"I’ve got some ideas of what I want to do in the future, but I don’t know when that’s going to be, whether that’s 2017 or 2020. Who knows?

"I’d like to do Le Mans, I would. If it fits in, if it works, if Le Mans is in the right place and if there’s possibilities for me, yeah of course.

"I’m a big fan of rallycross, I think it’s a fantastic sport. It’s a sport my Dad used to race in, and I’ve got great memories of hearing his VW Beetle and VW Golf back in the eighties.

"Big fan of it just being outright racing, very mechanical, old school racing. 600 horsepower, madness, you can hit each other, regulations aren’t that strict. I like that.

"I think a lot of people that finish their career in motorsport decide to go down that direction because it’s a bit more relaxed and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

"Sebastien Loeb has just signed up for FIA Rallycross. It’s an interesting direction for a lot of sportsmen I think in motorsport."

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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.