Jenson Button doesn't want long term contract

Jenson Button says he does not want to sign a long-term contract with McLaren as “freedom is important in the future”.

The announcement that Honda would become McLaren’s engine supplier in 2015 raises the question of whether 33-year-old Button will still be driving for the team in two years’ time. Asked how long he sees himself racing for in the future, Button said he would not tie himself down to a long-term contract.

“Jenson will drive here as long as he wants to. He’s a great guy and doing a really good job in difficult times at the moment,” Neale said.

“He fits our values and our culture really well. He’s here with the workforce this morning and it’s more a question of hoping he will still be here in 2015. He is excited by the prospect of Honda as well.”

When questioned about having a long-term future at McLaren during the FIA press conference, Button replied: “I don’t want to think about the future too much at the moment.

“You have to live the moment and I don’t think trying to agree a lengthy deal for the future is something that is interesting for me.

“I have had 13 years in the sport and I want to have freedom and that feeling of ‘if it doesn’t feel right any more, stop’.

“For me that freedom is important in the future.”

Even if Button is not around, the 2015 season will be a big one for McLaren as they will once again start using Honda engines.

“I think for us as a team it is good for the future but for the sport as a whole it is fantastic,” he said.

“Having another engine manufacturer in the sport is good.

“We have three very strong engine manufacturers and with the new regulations it will bring new manufacturers, Honda being the first.”