Button: In 2017 I will help McLaren to develop as a whole

Jenson Button has shed light on his 'retirement' which will see him make way at McLaren for Stoffel Vandoorne to partner Fernando Alonso.

The 2009 Formula 1 world champion has a contract with the Woking outfit until the end of 2018 and he may even make a return to the grid if Fernando Alonso does not drive for the team in next season or in 2018.

Button told media at Suzuka, “I won’t be developing the car, because I won’t be driving it. My involvement will be more helping the team to develop as a whole.

“I’ve got a lot of experience working with different teams from a drivers’ point of view. When you step back and have look at the team, there will be areas where I can see still need work. I think I can help with that with my experience with the sport.

“When you’re driving, you’re focused on your driving, you can’t focus on anything else. Formula One takes over your life, and it’s all about the development of the car and working with your engineers. You don’t look at the bigger picture.”

“I was asked before: What do you think about giving feedback knowing that it’s not going to be used for your car next year?."

"It doesn’t matter, I’m not going to be working for a rival team. Of course I’m going to give all the feedback I can, I want to see the team do well, I’m still part of the team.

“So I will enjoy every race. Every race I go in for, you want to do the best job you can, you want to out-qualify your teammate, you want to beat him in a race, as well as get as many points as you can. That never changes. I don’t think that ever changes, however long you’re in the sport,” explained Button.