Paul Jeffrey
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Rumours within the Formula One paddock of late suggest McLaren Honda may be looking to find a berth for young Belgian hotshot Stoffel Vandoorne heading into the second half of the Grand Prix season, leading many top Formula One figures to wonder if the writing is on the wall for 2009 World Champion Jenson Button.
It has been reported that McLaren are looking at opportunities within the Grand Prix paddock to find a place for Vandoorne to finish the Formula One season, thus building on his current experience in order for him to hit the ground running heading into what promises to be a critical pre-season programme ahead of the much changed new Formula in 2017. A Potential seat with the ever improving Manor team in place of the short funded Rio Haryanto is the latest rumour, although how keen the decision makers at Mercedes are to run a Honda supported driver in a Mercedes powered car might prove to be a sticking point for the deal to reach fruition.
All the speculation around Vandoorne's immediate future strongly indicates McLaren's desire to ensure the driver is race fit and ready to slip into one of the McLaren Honda seats for the 2017 season. With Spaniard Fernando Alonso under contract for 2017 it appears Button's 7 year relationship with the Woking squad could be coming to a close at the end of the current season.
The British driver, winner of 15 Grand Prix and World Champion with Brawn in 2009, has proven to be more than a match for his highly regarded teammate Alonso these last two seasons. Many believe the likable and experienced Englishman still has plenty to offer at the pinnacle of motorsport despite his advancing years. Button will celebrate his 37th birthday prior to the start of the 2017 season and already finds himself as the oldest driver on the current Formula One grid. To give some perspective of age, RedBull race winner Max Verstappen was 30 months and 11 days old when Button lined up on the grid in Melbourne to make his Formula One debut for the Williams BMW team!
With the ever decreasing possibility of a McLaren seat next season, where next for one of Great Britains top sports stars?
Williams Mercedes
Struggling in 2017 after a promising couple of years since the switch to Mercedes power, Williams could well prove to be an attractive option for Button heading into 2017. With a big name sponsor on the car (more than McLaren have managed in recent years), a solid technical team headed by the highly experienced Pat Symonds and former Ferrari man Rob Smedley, and a highly motivated staff working to return the Williams name back into the winners circle, Williams could be a good fit and nice way for Button to end his career in Formula One with the same team for which he made his debut. Of concern would be the financial and technical capacity of the Grove squad to react to 2017's new regulations and remain a competitive force in the coming seasons.
Renault F1
The Enstone team returned to full manufacturer status at the beginning of 2016 following the reacquisition of the former Lotus squad by French powerhouse Renault Sport. Short on funding and development in recent seasons and yet to realise the full potential of the resources available from the Renault company, the bright yellow machines may become an attractive opportunity in the coming years. Retaining many of the team personnel from the halcyon days of the mid 2000's and with current driver Jolyon Palmer performing below expectations in his debut season, maybe Renault would benefit from the seasoned experience and professionalism of the 2009 World Champion.
Sauber F1 Team
Somewhat of an outsider in the race for Button's signature, perhaps Sauber offer a more interesting challenge for the Briton than first meets the eye. Benefitting from new Swedish investment in the form of investment company Longbow Finance, Sauber are undergoing somewhat of a upheaval heading into the 2017 Grand Prix season. In the team's favour is access to state of the art facilities back at Hinwil including a 1:1 scale wind tunnel, considered arguably the best of its kind in modern Formula One. Curtesy of former BMW ownership the team have access to impressive facilities that stand the squad on competitive footing for future development. With new ideas and investments coming to a team who know how to work efficiently with limited funds, perhaps a combination of excellent facilities, new finance and a massive change in regulations could offer Sauber an opportunity to make substantial ground on the teams in front. A driver with the marketability and skills of Jenson Button would no doubt be an attractive proposition for the Swiss team, however until an engine deal can be sorted out for next season question marks continue to remain regarding Sauber's future potential.
Haas F1 Team
Very much a long shot for Button, the new for 2016 American operation could find themselves in the running for Button's signature next season if the Briton would be willing to take a drop down the grid for 2017. An ambitious operation spearheaded by American businessman Gene Haas and benefiting from reasonable financial support, the American team will no doubt be lifting itself gradually through the field in coming seasons. With a large American fan base and close technical partnership with Ferrari, helping to support Hass with its ambitions to become a front running team could prove attractive to a driver like Button who has nothing left to prove in the sport. A stumbling block for the British former World Champion could be the already strong driving line up at Hass, Gutierrez brings substantial Mexican investment and Frenchman Romain Grosjean is considered a top driver in his own right, whist still only 30 years of age presents a better long term prospect than the older Button. Just as the legendary Murray Walker once said, never say never in Formula One.
World Endurance Championship
Recent seasons have been rife with speculation that Jenson Button could find himself with a ride in the World Endurance Championship and these rumours refuse to go away in 2016. With many top teams sure to be interested in a driver of the calibre and professionalism of Jenson Button, perhaps a life outside Formula One could prove an attractive prospect for the current McLaren Honda pilot. Recent success stories from the likes of former Grand Prix race winner Mark Webber, whom secured the 2015 WEC World Championship, prove that Formula One experience can be a valuable asset in modern endurance racing. An opportunity to continue working with big budget manufacturers of the likes of Porsche and Audi could help sway a decision by Button, as well as the prospect of once again fighting for a World Championship title and race victories around some of the worlds best racing circuits. Of course the WEC highlight of the season is the famous Le Mans 24 Hour event, a win every professional driver would like to see on their racing CV.
It is beyond question that Jenson Button is a consummate professional and exceptionally talented Grand Prix driver. At 37 years of age in 2017 and with 17 seasons of Formula One racing behind him, the big question is where will Jenson Button end up next year? We want to hear your opinions on what you think the future has in store for Button. Should he stay in Formula One? Can he still add value to a top team? Does he deserve another shot at race wins, or should he make way for the new breed of younger drivers? - Have your say! Let us know your opinions in the comments section below...
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