F1 news: Jenson Button targets enjoyable challenge for 2017
Button also welcomes interest from Williams for 2017
By Pete Gill
Last Updated: 23/06/16 1:25pm
Jenson Button says he just wants to enjoy Formula 1 as the former world champion considers his present and future in the sport.
While Button insists he is enjoying the challenge presented by another difficult year at McLaren, the 36-year-old has acknowledged he will not be able to stay satisfied in adversity indefinitely.
"For me it's about enjoying the race weekends, getting the most out of myself, which l feel l am doing, getting the most out of the car, which l feel l am doing, and enjoying it while l am doing it," Button told Sky Sports News at an event announcing Michael Kors as a new lifestyle partner at McLaren.
"I feel l am a big part of this team. After every race l am in the factory, debriefing, engineering and working with the aerodynamicists closely. I feel l am moving the car in a good direction. I enjoying it. That part of the job is really enjoyable at the moment. We are not winning, we are not on the podium so you have to look at other areas that excite you and they do."
Button impressed again last week in Baku as he rose from 19th on the grid to eleventh at the chequered flag in the European GP.
But he also admitted: "I enjoy the fight where l am right now and l enjoy getting everything out of the package but at some point that will get too much."
Button is understood to be a potential target for Williams in 2017 as the Grove outfit consider changes to their current driver line-up of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa. Button made his F1 debut with the team in 2000 and has welcomed the admission of Claire Williams, their deputy team principal, that he represents 'an attractive proposition'.
"We would all like someone to say that about us, so that was very nice of her," he told Sky Sports' Craig Slater. "I don't know what l am doing next year. I want to be enjoying myself again and be in a position whether l can fight for good results, whether it's a building year, a podium year or a winning year. That's what l need.
"Hopefully McLaren will be strong and competitive next year but I'm sure there are other possibilities as well."
