Jenson Button asks McLaren to activate his option for 2012
Since Mark Webber has been confirmed at Red Bull and Felipe Massa still has a contract for the next season, Jenson Button has no better prospects than staying at McLaren. He wishes to do so, but the decision is currently in the hands of Martin Whitmarsh, who must exercise the option for the 2012 season.
There is a strong likelihood that the contract will be extended since the 2009 world champion has been in excellent form since the beginning of the season, with victories in Canada and Hungary. His magnificent third place in the last Belgian Grand Prix allowed him to surpass his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, in the overall standings.
The Briton therefore makes no secret of his desire to stay in Woking, as he declared to Sporting Life: «All he has to say is yes and I will say yes because I want to be here next year. It’s up to the team to decide when to contact me but, from my point of view, I’ve never been happier in the car.» There’s a strong chance he’ll remain Lewis Hamilton’s teammate for a third consecutive season.
When asked about the six accidents (including five of his own fault) in the 2008 World Championship this season, he states that it’s necessary given the current standings, dominated by Sebastian Vettel: « I had a lot of bad luck in Valencia, Silverstone, and Nurburgring, and now he has it. It’s tough for both of us. It would be nice to have a full season without it, but sometimes you can’t. Staying clean is important, obviously, when you’re fighting for the championship. But in Lewis’s position, mine, Mark’s, and Fernando’s, we don’t have the luxury of staying clean and getting good points. We have to fight for it. That’s even more the case when Saturday or the first turn doesn’t go as planned. Then you have to fight your way back. But sometimes you get caught or end up in the barrier. It’s not pleasant, but that’s how it is. »
Being more than 100 points behind the leader, the last chances for the 2011 title have almost vanished, which will lead the team to quickly focus on the 2012 car and simply try to secure a few more victories this season.
With the participation of RacingBusiness.fr
