Button to make full-time F1 return (2nd Update)

Will Button really return?

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' with today's announcement.

05/16/17 (GMM) Jenson Button is not ruling out a full-time return to formula one.

Last year, despite the F1 veteran inking a new two-year contract with McLaren, the Briton said the 2016 Abu Dhabi race would be his last in F1.

But he is making a one-off return in Monaco next weekend to replace Fernando Alonso, who is doing the Indy 500.

And now, the 37-year-old said he might come back full time in 2018.

"I can't rule it out," Button is quoted by the Sun.

"I have a contract with the team to race next year so I would definitely not rule anything out," he added. Alonso's contract runs out at the end of the year.

Button, however, said he would not actively push to do more races this year, as he went into 2017 planning to have "a break".

"I had so many options to race this year it is hilarious," he revealed.

"That even went into this year with two different teams asking me to race. I have no interest in doing that."

As for his chances in Monaco, Button was criticized recently for not doing the Bahrain test to prepare, and now admits: "I don't know what is going to happen.

"I don't know if I am going to jump in the car that it feels so different that I won't be competitive."

05/15/17 The 2009 World Champion announced he was taking a sabbatical in 2017, but was retained by McLaren-Honda as a reserve driver and will cover for Fernando Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix whilst the Spaniard heads to the Indianpolis 500.

Button had earlier suggested that his time in Formula 1 would be "done" after Monaco, but he has revealed that there is a clause in his contract that does allow him to return for a full season.

"I can't rule it out," Button told Press Association Sport. "I have a contract with the team to race next year so I would definitely not rule anything out."

Button also said that he has not been short of offers since his break from the sport.

"I had so many options to race this year it is hilarious," added Button, who was attending a press event for Santander.

"That even went into this year with two different teams asking me to race. I have no interest in doing that.

"I am thinking of Monaco as my only race this year. Obviously if I am asked again at another point in the year I am here to fill that seat. But I am not going to go out of my way to ask to drive because the whole idea was not to."