Button’s F1 career over
That is the fear of the 29-year-old Briton's friend and compatriot David Coulthard, following the turmoil of Honda's shock withdrawal and the possibility that Button will be left without a seat.
"You cannot say 100 per cent, but it would be very difficult to imagine where he goes from there," Coulthard, who contested the last of his 247 grands prix last November.
"It is a fickle business," the Scot told BBC Sport.
Coulthard worries that, if Button disappears from the F1 radar this year, he might never return.
"The way the sport is now, there are so many young drivers coming through and there are so many opportunities for teams to pick up these guys," he said at Jerez, scene of this week's main pre-season test action.
Even if the team currently known as Honda does find a buyer, Coulthard believes the Brackley based squad is facing a difficult season.
"You would like to imagine that it (the 2009 car) would be better than what they were given last year but I think the team at the back of the grid potentially could be Honda," he said.
12/13/08 Jenson Button might have to take a year out of Formula One next season if his Honda team fail to find a buyer, and in this market it is a long shot.
"At the moment, I'm completely focused on working with the team to try to find someone to buy it – that has to be my best option for 2009," the 28-year-old told the Autosport website at the draw for Sunday's Race of Champions event at Wembley Stadium.
"I'd rather not take a year out because I think that is bad for a racing driver, but that is always an option also," added Button.
"But my first aim is to race with the Brackley-based team, whatever they're called next year."
The Briton runs the risk of being left out in the cold for 2009 after Honda announced this month that they were pulling out of Formula One for financial reasons.