Jenson Button considered the 2016 Olympics
In contention with Kevin Magnussen for the vacant position at McLaren-Honda, Jenson Button had considered other options besides F1. Among these options was competing in the triathlon event at the 2016 Olympics.
Passionate about triathlon, Jenson Button reportedly considered participating in the Rio Olympics in this discipline, where the Brownlee brothers (Alistair and Jonathan) compete.
This 2015 season, Jenson Button will accompany Fernando Alonso on the McLaren-Honda team. However, during this off-season, the 2009 world champion had considered redirecting his career towards triathlon.
« I thought about Rio, then decided not to. First of all, I’m too old, about 10 years older than the Brownlee brothers, so it’s definitely not going to be me. I’m a very good amateur athlete, but reaching their level is something else ».
Button met last year with the British triathlon brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, wishing them good luck for the 2016 Olympics:
Good luck to them and I hope everyone supports them to bring back gold and silver and not gold and bronze like last time.
On April 26, Jenson Button will participate in the London Marathon to promote cancer research. The English driver hopes to beat his record of 2h 58m.
Furthermore, Éric Boullier spoke to the Daily Mirror, where he expressed pessimism about the first races of the season but expects improvements when F1 arrives in Europe.
« We will not be competitive until the European races, which will come in May ».
