AUGUST 10, 2016

Button hopes for four-way title fight in 2017

Jenson Button has headed into his summer break declaring that his future in F1 is currently clouded.

Jenson Button has headed into his summer break declaring that his future in F1 is currently clouded.

F1's most experienced active driver is linked with a return to his first team, Williams, for 2017, but he indicated he only wants to stay in F1 if he can win.

"Driving in formula one is still fun for me," he told Germany's Auto Bild.

"But it's not just about driving, it's also about winning. And for a long time now I haven't been doing that."

Button, 36, said he is at least happy with the regulations direction the sport is heading in for 2017, with more downforce and bigger tyres.

"It's in the right direction," the Briton confirmed. "The sport is back on the way up.

"Hopefully we get more races like Barcelona, which everyone loved because four cars fought for victory. That only two drivers from the same manufacturer fight for the title on their own is not what the sport needs."

However, Red Bull and Ferrari have at least looked closer to Mercedes in the past couple of years, while Fernando Alonso thinks McLaren-Honda could be another 2017 title contender.

Button said: "I don't know what it will be like next year.

"What we can say is that the top three teams will also be at the front next year, and hopefully McLaren-Honda as well, looking at our development this year and the talented people on the team.

"Look, it's conceivable, but so far it's just reading tea leaves.

"It's nice to see that things are looking up and I'm part of the programme, but if you're not on the podium and fighting for wins, you're never happy," added Button.

(GMM)