Former grand prix winner Rubens Barrichello believes Jenson Button ‘may come back stronger’ to Formula One in 2018 should he effectively return to the sport following his sabbatical.
The McLaren-Honda star announced in Monza that he would not race in F1 next year, with Stoffel Vandoorne stepping up to replace him. However, Button will remain an ambassador and reserve driver for his current team, which holds an option over the 2009 world champion for 2018.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Barrichello, who partnered Button at Honda and Brawn from 2006-2009, believes one year away from the daily grind of F1 could be beneficial to his former team-mate.
“I think only he can talk about it,” said the Brazilian, who has entered the most races in F1 history with 322 starts in 326 grand prix appearances.
“I think when you spend a long time in Formula 1, you are very limited in your day-after-day [life], to always do the same things.
“If you want a time to get together with family you have to travel to commitments with sponsors, to travel to the factory, to the simulator, etc.
“Button reaches 300 races soon [in Malaysia] and have no doubt that it is mentally tiring. With a sabbatical year and having the chance to come back, he may come back stronger.”
Chris Medland's 2016 Singapore Grand Prix preview
TECHNICAL: Under the skin of the Red Bull RB12
2017 F1 driver line-ups so far
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
For Lando Norris, the number “1” is no longer an aspiration painted in imagination –…
Cadillac’s long-awaited arrival on the Formula 1 grid is no longer a distant promise –…
Williams team boss James Vowles may not have had a car circulating at last week’s…
Arrow McLaren has pulled the covers off its 2026 NTT IndyCar Series trio, unveiling all…
Turning 70 on this day is Hector Rebaque, who was Mexico's last F1 driver for…
Oscar Piastri has made one thing crystal clear ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign:…