McLaren re-signs Button

Jenson Button

McLaren has officially confirmed the much-expected news that Jenson Button will be remaining with the Woking outfit, with a new multi-year contract having been signed. The precise number of years remains unknown at present.

Button joined McLaren as World Champion at the start of 2010 and has so far achieved four of his 11 career wins with the team, with two of those being at this year’s Canadian and Hungarian Grands Prix. 2012 will mark the Frome driver’s 13th season in the sport, having debuted with Williams in 2000.

“I’ve never felt more at home at a team than I do at McLaren," Button says via an official Wednesday press release. “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 McLaren 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."

The confirmation has also been welcomed by Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh, who has repeated at recent races that the 31-year-old would be staying.

“Jenson is a great driver and a great guy," says Whitmarsh. “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 organization 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 (Hamilton) 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 McLaren has the very best driver line-up in all of Formula 1."