Jenson Button ready to walk away from Formula One and says British Grand Prix could be his final race at Silverstone
Former world champion only wants to stay if McLaren can give him a car capable of fighting for podium places next season
JENSON BUTTON is ready to walk away from Formula One and says tomorrow's British Grand Prix could be his last.
The ex world champion only wants to stay if McLaren can give him a car capable of fighting for podium places next season.
The 36-year-old will sit down for contract talks with boss Ron Dennis in September.
With his glittering career well into its twilight stages Button doesn't just want to fade out with a whimper as he heads into his 17th British Grand Prix.
He warned: "If I am racing next year, I will only be racing if I am in a car that is competitive.
"I have enjoyed the journey at McLaren - but there is a point where you feel you have done enough and you can't give any more to the project to help it move forward.
"Hopefully, a little further into this season and we will see where we are. Hopefully it will be a good place to be, or somewhere else is a good place to be and I can challenge for podiums or victories and I will stay.
"I only want to be in F1 next year if I feel it is going to be competitive and enjoyable. It is my decision whether I want to stay in F1 or do something else. I won't walk away if I'm competitive.
"I think I have proved many times that I am at my best and I will never drive an F1 car half-heartedly, maybe some of the other drives can - but I can't."
Alternatively, Button could reunite with his first team Williams or Force India if they have space for the veteran driver across the paddock - but talk of a dream move to Ferrari have been crushed after Kimi Raikkonen signed a new deal for next year.
Button's surprise sixth-place finish last time out in Austria shows he still has the fight and desire to keep racing.
Though after finishing just ninth fastest in practice yesterday, qualifying higher than that today will take a huge effort from his team who have struggled with mid-table mediocrity at best.
The home hero said: "I enjoyed last weekend, but if that is the only weekend of the year that is that enjoyable I wouldn't be interested in racing for any longer.
"There is progress and we have an engine upgrade so it is always interesting to see how we move forward.
"I obviously wish I had better results here at Silverstone, but you have to take what you are given. I've got very close to the podium a couple of times. There was that time I was second and the wheel fell off in 2011.
"It's just been unfortunate. You always want to celebrate with the supporters - maybe in the future. The fans are awesome and there is always such a good festival vibe that makes it such a special race.
"We need more Grand Prix's like this. There's more of a buzz now and I enjoy it even more every time I come here."
Petrol-heads are desperate to see Button take over as the new Top Gear host if he ditches the glamorous world of Formula One for good.
However, a shot at the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race, Rallycross and a world championship in triathlon are also in the massively talented drivers' sights.
He added: "There are so many things I want to to do - whether it's racing at Le Mans. I love Rallycross and it's a sport my father raced in and and I followed for years.
"And there are other things as well like triathlon - I would love to fight for the world championship for my age group. People say you won't earn money from it. But who cares, I am in a very lucky and privileged position where I wont need to.
"It's not about money - I won't stay in F1 because it is a bigger pay cheque."