Button to the WEC?

Jenson Button has enjoyed a fine F1 career. But at 34 it would seem his options for a competitive seat are very limited.

According to the BBC, 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button is mulling a switch to the World Endurance Championship in the case he cannot secure a top-level F1 seat.

The Briton, of course, is facing an uncertain future with the Woking-based team, who are said to be in hot pursuit of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso to lead their effort in light of Honda's return in 2015. With Alonso likely headed to McLaren, it appears the 34-year-old Briton is less likely to be resigned than 22-year-old Dane Kevin Magnussen, currently in his first season of F1.

Earlier this season, Button moved into third-place on the all-time F1 starts list passing Ricardo Patrese. Only seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher (308) and Button's former Honda and Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello (326) have more career starts than Button's 265. The Frome, Somerset native also has scored 15 Grand Prix victories, the most recent being the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.

It appears McLaren will opt for the younger Magnussen over Button

Unfortunately, the past two seasons have been difficult ones for both Button and the team. A solo podium finish at this year's Australian Grand Prix has been the best finish for Button since the win in Brazil.

Should the scenario outlined above of Alonso going to McLaren and Magnussen being retained in favor of Button, the 2009 World Champion's options for a competitive F1 race seat would be incredibly limited. And at that point, one would have to think a switch to sports car racing would be the preferred option.

AR1 Staff