Motorsport: Button won't rule out new team

Jenson Button yesterday pledged in his new role as world champion to do everything he can to safeguard the future of the British Grand Prix.

Speaking at the stunning US$250m Yas Marina circuit ahead of Sunday's inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he expressed his dismay at Donington's failure to generate the money necessary to service their 17-year deal, and his hope that Silverstone can restage the race.

Brawn driver Button succeeded Lewis Hamilton after finishing fifth in the Brazilian Grand Prix a fortnight ago, and thus created history by becoming the first man to give English drivers back-to-back titles.

"Lewis and myself will both do as much as we can to help the British Grand Prix," Button said.

"This year's event was a sell-out, and it would be devastating if there was not a British race. I've never finished on the podium in my home event - even in my championship year! - but it's still a very special race. And a lot of British people and teams are involved in Formula One. Brawn and McLaren are British, and Red Bull are based there even if they are Austrian owned. I simply cannot imagine not having a British Grand Prix."

Button missed the irony that he should use Brawn and McLaren as his examples, as he resolutely fended off questions about his future, and said that as he had not even logged on to the internet during a weekend of relaxation with friends in Dubai he had been unaware of all the speculation about him joining Hamilton at McLaren in 2010.

"It's always exciting to read stories like that," he said. "After the reports of the race in Brazil died down these interesting stories cropped up, but I'm not going to talk about who or what for 2010.

"But as for having Lewis as a team-mate... I have achieved what I wanted to in F1, and I want new challenges. And whoever I drive against will be exciting. They will be competitive, and I am not talking about Lewis specifically. I won't put a percentage chance on anything.

"I'm looking forward to racing with number one on the side of the car next year, and I said in Brazil I'd love for it to be on a Brawn. It's great that we will start talking seriously after this weekend. But I have also always said my aim is to be in a car next year that can win races and the title."

- THE INDEPENDENT