Breaking news
Formula 1
Button believes he decided his F1 exit too early
Jenson Button says he regrets having made a decision on his Formula 1 exit so early in the season, as he admits he is still excited to be racing.
Pablo Elizalde
Edited: Nov 27, 2016, 3:19 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The 2009 world champion revealed at the start of September that he would not be racing in Formula 1 next year, making way for Stoffel Vandoorne in McLaren's 2017 line-up.
Button will compete in what is likely to be his last F1 race tomorrow in Abu Dhabi.
But the Briton, 36, feels that he should have delayed his decision until later in the season, conceding that it had led to a change in mindset.
"I still feel August is quite early, personally. I think when a driver decides he is going to leave or retire from that sport, I think you should try and do it as late as possible," said Button.
"I think I did it way too early. I think the mindset definitely changes which is a shame, I didn't think it would but it definitely does.
"Tomorrow for me is a big day but I don't go into the last race saying 'I can't wait til it's over', I go into the last race excited, knowing that I'm going to have a great race and I will give it my all as I do every grand prix."
Button said, however, that he had no second thoughts about his decision.
"I'm very happy with my decision," he said. "Who knows what's going to happen next year, but that's not the reason for leaving the sport.
"It's just the right time. The thought process that I had in August, long months to really think about the past, present and future. It's definitely the right thing for me to be doing.
"I'm hoping the team are competitive next year, I'll still be part of the team and looking forward to the few races I'll be at next year."
Button insisted he did not want to say he is retiring, and he will still be working with McLaren next season.
"I'm not retiring. It's a bad word and it's thrown around too often. I'm 36 years old, I'm definitely not retiring. I'll be working here with the team next year.
"I will be racing in other things and in the future I will be driving til I'm 70 odd years old. I'm not retiring until then - it's just whether I get paid to do it or not, that's the only difference."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Formula 1 could face EC tax investigation - report
Next article Red Bull "vulnerable" at the start - Vettel
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Pablo Elizalde
Alpine becomes Pramac's main partner in MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP
Alpine becomes Pramac's main partner in MotoGP
Liberty Media's $4bn MotoGP deal facing EU probe
MotoGP
MotoGP
Liberty Media's $4bn MotoGP deal facing EU probe
Ocon wants answers to understand pace slump against Alpine team-mate
Formula 1
Formula 1
Ocon wants answers to understand pace slump against Alpine team-mate
More from
Jenson Button
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Formula 1
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
More from
McLaren
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why McLaren gave team order to Oscar Piastri in F1 US GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Who slept worst last night: Lando Norris
Latest news
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
ARCA
ARCA ARCA 3 h
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 6 h
IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat
Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
8 h
Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP
Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
9 h
Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe