McLaren-Honda driver Jenson Button has admitted he considered retiring from Formula 1 at the end of this season, only committing to a new contract for 2016 after weeks of uncertainty.
“Last year I wasn’t sure if I’d be racing and it wasn’t my choice,” Button told Sky Sports. “This year it was totally my choice and there was a moment where I thought ‘I not sure I want to do this anymore and be where we are’.
“Obviously if we are where we are right now next year, it is not going to be that enjoyable.”
McLaren have struggled this season with engine and reliability issues, with only achieving ninth in the 2015 Constructors’ Standings, but the Briton says he has been encouraged by Honda’s plans to become competitive.
“I spent a lot of time with the engineers and the aerodynamicists,” said Button. “I spoke more with Ron Dennis in the two months when I was trying to decide what to do next year than I have in my whole time at McLaren.
“We went through a lot of ideas for next year and spoke to the aerodynamicists and the engineers and got a real direction and understanding of where we are going and with Honda as well.
“So that got me excited, that got me pumped for next year knowing that there are big improvements on the horizon and we need them.”
