Editing Jenson Button (section)

===McLaren (2010–2017)===
[[File:Jenson Button Bahrain 2010 cropped.jpg|thumb|right|Button's first race for [[McLaren]] was the {{F1GP||2010 Bahrain}}.]]

Goodard telephoned McLaren team principal [[Martin Whitmarsh]] to enquire about a drive for Button.{{efn|Whitmarsh noted discord between Button and Brawn from disputes over payment of bonuses from the driver's championship win and spoke to Button about his status after the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix.<ref name=F1MagJul13/>}} Whitmarsh did not believe Button would leave Brawn GP since they had won the Championship; Goodard mentioned McLaren's competitiveness at the end of 2009 and partnering 2008 world champion [[Lewis Hamilton]] appealed to Button. Discussions took place at the team's headquarters in [[Woking]] and a three-year deal was signed soon after.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=251–254}}<ref name=RacerApr11/> Button said he moved because he wanted the motivation and challenge from competing alongside Hamilton,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8369244.stm |title=Hamilton challenge excites Button |date=19 November 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-date=31 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531064318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8369244.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but Whitmarsh cautioned the two before the start of the season he would observe any relationship problems between them.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Straw|first=Edd|title=Jenson Button: Cool and Quick and Oh So Clever|url=https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2010/7/AS08.07.10.pdf|journal=Autosport|volume=201|issue=2|page=54|date=8 July 2010|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225062045/https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2010/7/AS08.07.10.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2010====
[[File:Button Australia 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Button took his first victory with McLaren at the {{F1GP||2010 Australian}}.]]
Button won at the {{F1 GP|2010|Australian}} and the {{F1 GP|2010|Chinese}} in variable weather to take the lead of the Drivers' Championship.<ref name="MMagBio" /> He later finished second in [[2010 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkey]] after a miscommunication with his team caused him to battle Hamilton for the victory. This cooled his relationship with Hamilton who believed McLaren favoured Button. He followed with two podium finishes and a trio of points scoring finishes to remain in contention for the championship.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=262–264}} Button retired at the {{F1 GP|2010|Belgian}} after Vettel hit him and punctured the radiator of his car. Second at [[2010 Italian Grand Prix|Monza]] was followed by a fourth place in both [[2010 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]] and [[2010 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]].{{sfn|Jones|2011|pp=86–106}} During the {{F1 GP|2010|Brazilian}} weekend, Button and his entourage were threatened by a number of criminals in the [[favela]]s on his way back from qualifying at [[Autódromo José Carlos Pace|Interlagos]]; nobody was harmed during the incident.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=266–269}} Button was mathematically eliminated from retaining the title with a fifth place in the race and took fifth in the championship with third in [[2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|Abu Dhabi]].<ref name="MMagBio" />{{sfn|Jones|2011|pp=86–106}}

====2011====
[[File:2011 Canadian GP - Winner (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Button celebrating his win of the {{F1GP||2011 Canadian}}]]

Button's [[McLaren MP4-26|MP4-26]] car for {{F1|2011}} was built around his taller frame from intra-team input in late 2010.<ref name=RacerApr11>{{cite journal|last=Hughes|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist)|title=Affinity and beyond: in Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, McLaren may have formed the ideal combo of talents and character traits|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A252562642/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=804cf973|journal=Racer|date=April 2011|page=42+|access-date=4 May 2020|via=Gale in Context: Biography|url-access=subscription|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201108/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA252562642&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=804cf973|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ButtonCooper2011>{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|title=The story behind Button's greatest season|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/feature/4129/the-story-behind-button-greatest-season|work=Autosport|date=30 December 2011|access-date=4 May 2020|url-access=subscription|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201113/https://www.autosport.com/f1/feature/4129/the-story-behind-button-greatest-season|url-status=live}}</ref> He believed the introduction of [[Pirelli]] tyres that season would suit his smooth driving style and said a world championship victory would make it difficult for him to retire from F1.<ref>{{cite news|last=Riddell|first=Don|title=Button – new tires will suit my racing style|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/03/23/motorsport.f1.button.interview/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=24 March 2011|access-date=4 May 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415074125/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/03/23/motorsport.f1.button.interview/index.html|archive-date=15 April 2011}}</ref> Button began the season by finishing no lower than sixth in the first six races with three podium results.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=273–274}} He won the rain-affected {{F1GP|2011|Canadian}} after two collisions dropped him to the back of the field and overtaking Vettel when the latter ran wide on the slippery track on the final lap.{{Sfn|May|2013|pp=109–113}} Button then won the {{F1GP|2011|Hungarian}}, which was held in similar weather, and the {{F1GP|2011|Japanese}}, but his results over the course of the season mathematically eliminated him from championship contention when Vettel took the title in Japan. Button took 3 victories and 12 podium finishes to finish runner-up with 270 points.<ref name="MMagBio" />{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=284–289}}

====2012====
[[File:Jenson Button (7448892238).jpg|thumb|left|Button practicing for the {{F1GP||2012 Canadian}}]]

Whitmarsh wanted Button to remain at McLaren for the next three years while the latter held talks with Ferrari about a race seat in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oricchio|first=Livio|title=Button na mira da Ferrari|trans-title=Button in Ferrari's sights|url=http://esportes.estadao.com.br/blogs/livio-oricchio/button-na-mira-da-ferrari/|work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]]|language=pt|date=18 September 2011|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513183644/http://esportes.estadao.com.br/blogs/livio-oricchio/button-na-mira-da-ferrari/|archive-date=13 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, he signed a three-year extension to his contract with McLaren.{{efn|Although the press reported that the contract extension would earn Button £85&nbsp;million, he states in his autobiography ''Life to the Limit'' that this was not the case.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=284–289}}}}{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=284–289}} Button was satisfied with the new [[McLaren MP4-27|MP4-27]] car due to McLaren finding a regulation loophole banning the blowing of exhaust gases over parts of the vehicle to improve downforce. A victory in the season-opening {{F1GP|2012|Australian}} and two-second-place finishes at the {{F1GP|2012|Chinese}} and the {{F1GP|2012|German}} were the highlights of his first half of the season.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=290–292}} His overall performance in the first seven races fell due to difficulty in generating temperature and the correct amount of grip into the new Pirelli short-life front tyres due to his smooth driving style and him switching brake materials multiple times to try and fix the issue made it worse.<ref>{{cite web|last=Allen|first=James|title=What's Happened to Jenson Button's Form?|url=http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/06/whats-happened-to-jenson-buttons-form/|publisher=James Allen on F1|date=14 June 2012|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618155739/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/06/whats-happened-to-jenson-buttons-form/|archive-date=18 June 2012|url-status=dead}} </ref><ref name=AndersonBBC2012>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Gary|title=Jenson Button's smooth driving style is costing him points|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18669094|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 July 2012|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704212235/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18669094|archive-date=4 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Button changed the [[Racing setup|set-up of his car]] and adapted himself to the tyres to retain temperature for better performance.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Straw|first1=Edd|last2=Beer|first2=Matt|title=Jenson Button says early-summer form slump was due to set-up blind alley|url=https://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101875/|work=Autosport|date=21 August 2012|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823130056/https://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101875/|archive-date=23 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The rest of Button's season saw him achieve wins in [[2012 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]] and [[2012 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]] and top-five finishes in five of the next seven rounds for fifth overall with 188 points.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=298–300}}

====2013====
[[File:2013 Italian GP - Button.jpg|thumb|right|Button driving at the {{F1GP||2013 Italian}}]]

Button was joined at McLaren by [[Ferrari Driver Academy]] graduate [[Sergio Pérez]] for {{F1|2013}} and their relationship was cooler because the latter entered the team hastily.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}} He was appointed a director of the [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]] (GPDA) in March 2013.<ref name=F1MagJul13/> McLaren built the [[McLaren MP4-28|MP4-28]] car not in advance of regulation changes for {{F1|2014}}, but from scratch.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}} This caused Button to drive an unstable car with understeer, a lack of downforce and severe tyre degradation.<ref name=ButtonF1RMay2013>{{cite journal|last=Rowlinson|first=Anthony|title=Button: the slings and arrows of F1 fortune have hit Jenson Button harder and sharper than almost any of his peers. yet entering his 14th season, he's standing stronger than ever. JB chatted to F1 racing about life, lycra, and being McLaren's out-and-out number one|journal=F1 Racing|issue=207|date=May 2013|pages=48–50|issn=1361-4487}}</ref> After finishing ninth at the season-opening {{F1GP|2013|Australian}}, McLaren introduced components from the MP4-27 onto the MP4-28, which had no significant effect and Button continued to attain sub-par results throughout the season with a best of fourth at the season-ending {{F1GP|2013|Brazilian}}.{{efn|Button broke his knuckle at a party before the {{F1GP|2013|Japanese}} attended by figures from the motor racing community. He drove the race in a strap, leaving the services of simulator driver [[Oliver Turvey]] and [[Kevin Magnussen]] unneeded.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}}}} He was ninth overall with 73 points. Button was involved in aggressive driving from his teammate Pérez early in the season in [[2013 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]] and [[2013 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]], annoying him.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}}

====2014–2015====
[[File:Mclaren MP4-29 Jenson Button 2014 F1 Chinese GP.jpg|thumb|left|Button competing at the {{F1GP||2014 Chinese}}]]

He activated the terms of his contract to stay with McLaren for 2014 in September 2013,<ref>{{cite web|last=Galloway|first=James|title=Jenson Button confirms his 2014 McLaren contract is now in place|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/8929692/jenson-button-confirms-his-2014-mclaren-contract-is-now-in-place|publisher=Sky Sports|date=19 September 2013|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921235701/http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/8929692/jenson-button-confirms-his-2014-mclaren-contract-is-now-in-place|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> but considered taking a sabbatical from F1 following the unexpected death of his father in Monaco in January 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|title=Jenson Button admits he considered taking a year out of Formula One after his father's death|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10595207/Jenson-Button-admits-he-considered-taking-a-year-out-of-Formula-One-after-his-fathers-death.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 January 2014|access-date=4 May 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129012543/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10595207/Jenson-Button-admits-he-considered-taking-a-year-out-of-Formula-One-after-his-fathers-death.html|archive-date=29 January 2014}}</ref> Button was joined by [[Kevin Magnussen]], with whom he was able to build a rapport, and the [[McLaren MP4-29|MP4-29]] car had an understeer from lacking front downforce and an unstable rear.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=321–323}} He finished third at the season-opening {{F1GP|2014|Australian}} after Red Bull Racing driver [[Daniel Ricciardo]] was disqualified for a fuel flow consumption infringement and his team lost a subsequent appeal against the decision.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stubbings|first=David|date=15 April 2014|title=McLaren keep double podium after Red Bull lose fuel appeal|publisher=GetSurrey|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-keep-double-podium-after-6991593|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418122332/http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-keep-double-podium-after-6991593|archive-date=18 April 2014}}</ref> It would turn out to be his final career podium. Button achieved a quartet of fourth-place finishes and scored points seven more times for eighth in the Drivers' Championship and 126 points.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button profile|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20838134|date=15 January 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215060502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20838134|archive-date=15 December 2014|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> Button qualified better than Magnussen ten times and scored twice as many points.<ref name=BUTContract15>{{Cite journal|last=Anderson|first=Ben|date=18 December 2014|title=Why McLaren Kept Jenson... Waiting|url=https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2014/12/AS2014.12.18.pdf|journal=Autosport|volume=218|pages=10–15|access-date=5 May 2020|number=12|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225011421/https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2014/12/AS2014.12.18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Button Britain 2015.jpg|thumb|right|Button driving at the {{F1GP||2015 British}}]]

Button became unenthusiastic over F1 and the press speculated on his future in the sport with rumors Alonso would be Magnussen's teammate in {{F1|2015}}. He wanted to remain at McLaren but was made insecure about his career and told himself to concentrate on the present and not be concerned about the future.{{efn|Button's manager Richard Goodard received calls from several teams inquiring about Button.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|title=Button a wanted man, says manager|url=https://www.wheels24.co.za/FormulaOne/Button-a-wanted-man-says-manager-20141031?|publisher=Wheels24|date=31 October 2014|access-date=3 July 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704040419/https://www.wheels24.co.za/FormulaOne/Button-a-wanted-man-says-manager-20141031}}</ref>}}{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=321–323}} Dennis did not want Button to drive for McLaren but fellow team shareholder [[Mansour Ojjeh]] told him Button should remain over Magnussen after reviewing the situation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button has no guarantees over 2016 McLaren seat|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/33437682|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=7 July 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709045216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/33437682|archive-date=9 July 2015|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> Negotiations between Button and McLaren racing director [[Éric Boullier]] and team owner Ron Dennis concluded with an agreement for Button to continue racing on 10 December.<ref name=BUTContract15/> Button agreed to take a pay cut,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|date=11 December 2014|title=Jenson Button's salary slashed but McLaren driver is 'raring' to fight for world title again|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11288225/Jenson-Buttons-salary-slashed-but-McLaren-driver-is-raring-to-fight-for-world-title-again.html|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712163928/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11288225/Jenson-Buttons-salary-slashed-but-McLaren-driver-is-raring-to-fight-for-world-title-again.html|archive-date=12 July 2017}}</ref> with his contract containing the option for a second year; McLaren or Button were able to activate clauses to break the contract after the season if one of the parties desired it.{{efn|An option for a long-term contract was more complicated for Button because of the team's results from the 2014 season led to debate on each driver's strengths and weaknesses.<ref name=BUTContract15/>}}<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 October 2015|title=Jenson Button to remain at McLaren for 2016 F1 season|work=[[USA Today]]|agency=Associated Press|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/formula1/2015/10/01/jenson-button-to-remain-at-mclaren-for-2016-f1-season/73133922/|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201103/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/formula1/2015/10/01/jenson-button-to-remain-at-mclaren-for-2016-f1-season/73133922/|url-status=live}}</ref> Button struggled in 2015 due to an unreliable and an underpowered Honda engine lacking straightline speed,<ref name=MMagBio/> securing four top-ten finishes and a best result of sixth at the {{F1GP|2015|United States}}. He was rarely able to progress past the first qualifying session and took 16th in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=321–323}}

====2016–2017====

[[File:Button Bahrain 2016.jpg|thumb|left|Button competing in the {{F1GP||2016 Bahrain}}]]

He was retained by the McLaren team for {{F1|2016}} following contractual discussions with Dennis and meetings with aerodynamics and engineers at the [[McLaren Technology Centre]] (MTC). Button received a 50 per cent pay rise by staying at McLaren for another year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|date=8 October 2015|title=Jenson Button denies retirement talk was a ploy to boost his salary at McLaren|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11920719/Jenson-Button-denies-retirement-talk-was-a-ploy-to-boost-his-salary-at-McLaren.html|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211131326/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11920719/Jenson-Button-denies-retirement-talk-was-a-ploy-to-boost-his-salary-at-McLaren.html|archive-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> He had considered returning to the Williams team but decided against it.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Jenson Button very nearly joined Williams for 2016' – The F1 Report|url=http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/10268260/jenson-button-very-nearly-joined-williams-in-2015|last=Croft|first=David|author-link=David Croft (broadcaster)|date=5 May 2016|publisher=Sky Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506041936/http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/10268260/jenson-button-very-nearly-joined-williams-in-2015|archive-date=6 May 2016|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> His car's new Honda engine was more powerful and allowed him to challenge for points-scoring finishes but reliability continued to hinder him and McLaren.<ref name=RFBio/> He finished 15 of the 21 races that year,<ref name=RF2016>{{Cite web|title=2016 F1 season driver rankings #14: Button|url=https://www.racefans.net/2016/12/08/2016-f1-season-driver-rankings-14-button/|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=8 December 2016|publisher=RaceFans|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201116/https://www.racefans.net/2016/12/08/2016-f1-season-driver-rankings-14-button/|url-status=live}}</ref> qualifying a season-high third at the {{F1GP|2016|Austrian}}, the highest start for the McLaren-Honda partnership. Button went on to finish the race a season-high sixth.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Finnerty|first=Joe|date=8 July 2016|title=McLaren-Honda's Jenson Button targets British Grand Prix success at Silverstone|publisher=GetSurrey|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-hondas-jenson-button-targets-11584548|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215014759/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-hondas-jenson-button-targets-11584548|archive-date=15 February 2020}}</ref> He was unable to finish higher than eighth thereafter and ended his full-time career with a suspension failure at the season-ending {{F1GP|2016|Abu Dhabi}}. Button took 15th in the Drivers' Championship with 21 points finishing better than Alonso five times and qualifying higher on four occasions.<ref name=RF2016/>

Before the {{F1GP|2016|Belgian}}, he told Dennis he planned to retire after the season.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=325–326}} Dennis asked Button to wait before returning for discussion to which he said he had already decided.<ref name=F1MagNov16>{{Cite journal|last=Roberts|first=James|date=November 2016|title=Jenson Button The Long Interview|journal=F1 Racing|issue=249|pages=37–43|issn=1361-4487}}</ref> He suggested Button take a sabbatical and mull over the decision to retire while resting and made Button an ambassador for McLaren.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=325–326}} He would work in the team's simulator at MTC, represent them at sponsor functions and attempt to help them in car development.<ref name=F1MagNov16/> Button was retained by McLaren as reserve driver with the option to return to full-time racing for the team in {{F1|2018}} if he and McLaren agreed to it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button turned down two offers to race in F1 for 2017|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/19386871/jenson-button-turned-two-offers-race-f1-2017|last=Saunders|first=Nate|date=15 May 2017|publisher=ESPN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021034221/http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/19386871/jenson-button-turned-two-offers-race-f1-2017|archive-date=21 October 2018|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> He was replaced as a GPDA director by [[Romain Grosjean]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grosjean replaces Button as GPDA director|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/grosjean-replaces-button-as-gpda-director-901685/901685/|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=4 May 2017|publisher=[[motorsport.com]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304173823/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/grosjean-replaces-button-as-gpda-director-901685/901685/|archive-date=4 March 2020|access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> In April 2017, Boullier asked Button to drive in lieu of the [[2017 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]]-bound Alonso at the {{F1GP|2017|Monaco}} and agreed after Goodard told him there was no way to get out of the commitment because he was contractually bound to drive.{{Sfn|Button|2019|pp=10–12}} He prepared in the team's simulator instead of testing in Bahrain because he would learn nothing by not driving on a narrow street circuit.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Oliver|date=26 May 2017|title=Jenson Button: 'I am not in Monaco to say goodbye. I am here to have fun'|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2017/05/26/jenson-button-not-monaco-say-goodbye-have-fun/|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117103108/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2017/05/26/jenson-button-not-monaco-say-goodbye-have-fun/|archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> He retired late in the race following a collision with Sauber driver [[Pascal Wehrlein]] that damaged his car.{{Sfn|Button|2019|pp=18–22}}

In November 2017, Button was replaced as McLaren reserve driver by [[FIA Formula 3 European Championship|2017 FIA Formula Three European]] champion [[Lando Norris]] for 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|last=de Menezes|first=Jack|date=6 November 2017|title=Lando Norris replaces Jenson Button as McLaren reserve driver with GP3 or F2 move on the horizon|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-grid-2018-lando-norris-mclaren-reserve-driver-replaces-jenson-button-f2-gp3-formula-1-a8040291.html|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413141643/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-grid-2018-lando-norris-mclaren-reserve-driver-replaces-jenson-button-f2-gp3-formula-1-a8040291.html|archive-date=13 April 2020}}</ref> His contract with McLaren expired without renewal at the end of 2017 allowing him to focus on other racing ventures.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button has been 'brilliant' for McLaren, says Eric Boullier|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12479/11128955/jenson-button-has-been-brilliant-for-mclaren-says-eric-boullier|last=Galloway|first=James|date=27 November 2017|publisher=Sky Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505125633/https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12479/11128955/jenson-button-has-been-brilliant-for-mclaren-says-eric-boullier|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>