• McLaren

Webber tells Button to turn his back on F1

ESPN Staff
November 12, 2014 « Double points should be scrapped in 2015 - Wolff | Schumacher website to be reactivated »
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Mark Webber has urged Jenson Button to turn his back on Formula One and join him in the World Endurance Championship next season.

Button's F1 future is expected to be settled in the next two weeks as McLaren prepares to announce Fernando Alonso as one of its drivers next season alongside either Button or Kevin Magnussen. Although he is waiting on a decision from McLaren's bosses, Button has hinted that he may reject an F1 deal for 2015 and race in a different series such as WEC.

Webber, who left F1 last year for Porsche's WEC team, took to Twitter to encourage Button to do the same.

Button has outscored Magnussen 106 points to 55 this season, but McLaren has been impressed by Magnussen's pace in his debut year following its investment in his career in lower formulae. The decision is currently being mulled over by McLaren CEO Ron Dennis and racing director Eric Boullier, with an announcement expected before the end of the season in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

Button said in Brazil that he would relish the chance of going up against Alonso in a McLaren-Honda next year, but ultimately wants to be in a winning car next year.

"I think every driver likes the challenge of a good team-mate," Button said. "That's why I loved the three years I spent with Lewis [Hamilton].

"What I miss more than anything else right now, is that fighting for a win. That's what probably is the most difficult thing at this moment in time is that we can't challenge for wins in Formula One. So for me, if I'm in Formula One next year, I've got to be winning, that's what I'm here to do.

"The last two years haven't been like that. The first three years with McLaren were amazing, challenging for wins and the last two years have been tough. Next year, if I'm in Formula One I want to be winning races."

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