FORMULA ONE: Jenson Button ‘to retire before this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix’

It had been claimed that Button’s salary demands were proving prohibitive for McLaren, who are anticipating a fall in revenues after a frightful campaign so far this year. Jessica, his wife, and Richard Goddard, his close friend and manager, are said to have been instrumental in the decision, which could be announced within days.

Potential opportunities for the former Brawn driver to explore should he choose to look away from F1 are a possible foray into the World Endurance Championship, or starting up his own rallyrcoss team, with his late father John a huge fan of the sport.

Reflecting on Mercedes’ surprising struggles, Button said that it was great to see a mixed up grid at the front, adding that it was good for everyone including Mercedes, Sport24 reported.

The Daily Mail claimed on Monday that the 35-year-old had made the decision to leave the sport, following extensive talks with McLaren chairman Ron Dennis about his future during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend.

Button is having a poor season this year, finishing among the points in only two of the 13 races.

‘The corner before that he just drove me off the circuit. “If there had been a brick wall, I would have been in it. The boy hasn’t changed and he won’t ever change”.

“But everyone’s stayed positive and got their heads down. It’s just taking a long time, but it’s the same for all of us”.

“There’s a lot of people working hard in this team and they do their best and we’ll get there in the end, it’s a matter of time”.