Jenson Button needed McLaren 'proof' before staying on for 2016
Watch Damon Hill interview the McLaren driver on Sky this weekend; Qualifying show on air from 5am on Saturday morning
Friday 18 March 2016 11:01, UK
Jenson Button has confirmed he was in talks about an alternative career in TV before being convinced by fallen F1 superpowers McLaren to stay on for 2016.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 ahead of the season-opening Australian GP, Button, a reported target for the revamped Top Gear show, revealed that he was only persuaded to remain in F1 after McLaren and Honda "proved" they were serious about returning to the front of the sport
"I was obviously in talks about TV shows and that wasn't me telling Ron Dennis, 'You need to give me a drive'," Button told Sky F1's Damon Hill during an exclusive interview in the Melbourne paddock.
"I needed to be shown by the team and by Ron that it was worth continuing - it was that way round. I had to make sure the team were focused.
"We had a direction and they needed to prove that to me. Ron will say the same - that they did prove that to me that they were hungry, they had the resources to achieve in the future. Honda were hungry and weren't going to give up. And that's what kept me here for another year and possibly other years in the future."
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When is the Australian GP on Sky Sports?
Button and Alonso form the most experienced driver pairing in the sport but, even with young charger Stoffel Vandoorne waiting in the wings for his opportunity, the former world champion is adamant that he may continue beyond 2016.
"There's definitely more to come. I wouldn't be here if I thought I didn't have a place here in Formula 1.
"I must say, a Formula 1 car these days isn't as much fun as 10 years ago. But you put yourself in a race situation and it's as good as ever. That buzz, that fight with other cars. The drivers, that's what you love - the competition."
Damon Hill's exclusive interview with Jenson Button can be seen in full during Sky F1's exclusively live coverage of this weekend's Australian GP. Coverage of qualifying begins at 5am on Saturday morning with race-day build-up beginning at 3.30am on Sunday.
