Button happy with life at McLaren

Jenson Button has admitted to enjoying Formula One to such an extent right now he cannot envisage a time when he might call it a day.

At the age of 32, with 212 grands prix behind him, and at the start of a new two-year contract with McLaren, life could not be sweeter for Button. But the 2009 world champion is determined to achieve even more success.

With a car beneath him that suggests it is a title contender, and after winning the season-opener in Australia, Button said: “Driving a good car always helps.

“And when you’re able to fight for victories it makes a massive difference, in particular after you’ve been racing for 12 to 13 years in the sport.

“Because I’m racing for McLaren, it’s a team that has achieved so much in its career in Formula One.

“Even if we have an uncompetitive car, you still believe in the future you will get a competitive car. If we get a bad car over the next couple of years it’s not going to make me think ‘it’s time to give up now’.”

It was a similar situation with his former Honda team-mate of many years Rubens Barrichello who had no desire to walk away, even at the age of 39.

Instead, Barrichello found himself surplus to requirements with Williams at the end of last season, but such is his passion for racing he has switched to IndyCar for this year.

For Button, currently in his 13th season in F1, he admits there is not even the slightest temptation to leave, or look at fresh pastures.

“A lot of people enjoy the sport, but they find it a little bit overpowering,” added Button.

“I think Michael (Schumacher) probably found that – and Kimi (Raikkonen) too – that he wanted to spend more time with his family and friends and maybe try something new. But you soon realise this is where your heart is.”

It is why there is every likelihood Button will see out his career with McLaren, providing their relationship continues to prosper, as has been the case over the last two years, and he continues to deliver.

With six wins behind him with the team and after finishing runner-up to Sebastian Vettel last season, Button said: “I do feel very good here.

“We’ve a great atmosphere, everyone thinks it’s a very cold, very grey team. But there is a great passion here.”