NOVEMBER 12, 2016

Button eyes GT, rallycross for 2017

Jenson Button has hinted at his plan to keep on racing during his F1 'sabbatical' next year.

Jenson Button has hinted at his plan to keep on racing during his F1 'sabbatical' next year.

Although some think the Briton is retiring, 36-year-old Button insists he might return in 2018. But what is clear is that the 2009 world champion will probably keep on racing next year.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do," Speed Week quotes the McLaren driver as saying.

"Maybe I'll do the 1000km of Suzuka in Super GT," Button revealed. "It would be nice if that worked out.

"I could also imagine doing some rallycross in America and some other things -- I just have to decide how much I want to do.

"I really want to take a break, so I'm not sure I want to do a whole rallycross season next year," added Button, whose late father John was a rallycross star.

What is clear is that Button is relishing the idea of life beyond F1.

"I think it's very exciting," he said, "because in the last 17 years I was in formula one and I'd like to experience something different.

"Formula one is the pinnacle of motor sport but after a while you need something new."

(GMM)