McLaren-Honda star Jenson Button says he could compete in Rallycross and Super GT during his sabbatical from Formula One action in 2017.
The Briton announced in Monza that he needed a break from F1 and would not race in the sport next year, with Stoffel Vandoorne promoted to a full-time role alongside Fernando Alonso.
However, Button remains contracted at McLaren for another two years. The 2009 world champion will act as an ambassador and reserve driver next season, with the team holding an option for him to return in 2018.
“I want to spend more time with friends, family and to do other things…” Button was quoted as saying by Reuters during a promotional event ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. “I love triathlons and maybe I'll race in something else like Rallycross or Super GT in Japan,”
“There are so many options and that's why it's exciting, because I can sort of live my life the way I want to next year. I have a contract to race with the team in 2018 if the team wants me to race and if I feel that I want to race.”
Super GT is a Japan-based grand touring car series where McLaren’s engine partner Honda is involved, while Button’s late father John was a prominent Rallycross driver in the 1970s and 80s, racing a Volkswagen Beetle to the runner-up spot in the 1976 British Rallycross Championship.
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