JULY 3, 2015

F1 veterans say no to slow Formula E

F1's endangered veterans have ruled out rescuing their careers in Formula E.

As team juniors Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne knock on the door, McLaren-Honda's Jenson Button is once again being asked if this weekend might be his last home grand prix at Silverstone.

"I'm not going into the race thinking that," the 35-year-old insisted, "because what does that change? It's not going to help my career or hurt my career."

The 2009 world champion emphatically ruled out switching from his 16-year F1 career straight into Formula E, the FIA's burgeoning all-electric single seater series.

"No. And did I watch the (London) race? No," said Button.

"They've done a good job of getting talented drivers in the cars, but it's not something that interests me. For me, motor sport is motor sport -- the smell, the sound, the speed, and that's what formula one is about," he added.

Also with a doubtful future at present is Kimi Raikkonen, who is reportedly struggling to convince Ferrari to keep him on board in 2016.

The Finn, who like Button is also 35, has ruled out switching to a different team, but also like Button he is no fan of Formula E.

"I mean they've done well to go to the places that they race," said Raikkonen, "it's nice for people but for me, unfortunately, it (the cars) doesn't go fast.

"It doesn't look spectacular," he added. "They are in my view pretty slow. It's something that doesn't really excite me."

(GMM)