Button Celebrates Second Place at the Singapore Grand Prix - Photo Credit: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
McLaren have today announced that Jenson Button has signed a multi-year contract to remain with the team.
This confirmation end weeks of speculation over the future of the 2009 champion, which has included rumours about a possible move to Red Bull or Ferrari.
“I've never felt more at home at a team than I do at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes,” said Button, explaining why he has committed to the team for the foreseeable future.
‪”I've won four of the greatest races of my life here, I'm currently lying second in the drivers' world championship, and I feel that I'm driving better than ever.
“You can only achieve that with the right level of support – and I truly believe that the passion and determination to win are stronger here at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes than anywhere else.
“As a grand prix driver, those are incredibly powerful feelings to share and be part of, and they've only reinforced my desire to commit my long-term future to this team.
“I've made no secret of my ambition to continue winning races and world championships, and I fully believe this is the place where I can achieve those aims.
“We at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes know how to win, and we're busy refining an organisation that will enable us to keep on doing that for years to come.”
Team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who is also signed-up on long-term contract with the team, welcomed the news, despite the fact that Button has got the better of him over the last for races.
“It's great news that Jenson has chosen to stay with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes,” said the 2008 world champion. “Jenson has been a great person to work with, and a genuine team-player, from the moment we welcomed him on board.
“Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is a team with a unique and successful tradition in Formula 1, which I’m proud to be part of. It was the best moment of my career when I won the drivers' world championship with this team. Jenson and I are as hungry and as ambitious as ever to win races and world championships in the future.”
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh explained why the team were so keen to get Button’s signature on this new multi-year deal.
“Jenson is a great driver and a great guy,” he said. “In fact, I can safely say that he's one of the most capable and respected drivers we've ever had, and I'm therefore absolutely delighted that he'll continue to work with us into the future.
“He's a considerable credit to this organisation, and I'm proud to be his Team Principal. I feel sure that he'll now build on the considerable success he's already achieved with us, and will be even more successful with us in years to come.
“I think he and Lewis say it better than anyone. Their comments show just how much they respect and trust each other, and they once again continue to prove what we as a team have always known: that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has the very best driver line-up in all of Formula 1.”
