Button Back for Replace Alonso
Button Back for Replace Alonso
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MONACO - British former world champion, Jenson Button will replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Alonso will miss the race on 28 May to compete in the Indianapolis 500, with the full support of both McLaren and the team's engine partner Honda.
"I'm thrilled to be making a one-off return. I couldn't think of a better place to make that return than my adopted home grand prix - Monaco," said Button (37) who retired from F1 at the end of last season.
The 2009 world champion has spent the winter in California training for Ironman triathlons, his long-time passion. He signed a contract with McLaren last autumn that committed him to replacing any race driver not able to take part in a grand prix this year. As part of that contract, the team also has an option to sign him to race in 2018.
Button described Monaco as a "tricky street circuit" but said the McLaren may be "more suited" to the venue than the "faster circuits" Alonso and team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne have driven on so far this season.
"I've won the race before, in 2009, and it's one of my all-time favourite racetracks," he added.
Alonso will miss the race on 28 May to compete in the Indianapolis 500, with the full support of both McLaren and the team's engine partner Honda.
"I'm thrilled to be making a one-off return. I couldn't think of a better place to make that return than my adopted home grand prix - Monaco," said Button (37) who retired from F1 at the end of last season.
The 2009 world champion has spent the winter in California training for Ironman triathlons, his long-time passion. He signed a contract with McLaren last autumn that committed him to replacing any race driver not able to take part in a grand prix this year. As part of that contract, the team also has an option to sign him to race in 2018.
Button described Monaco as a "tricky street circuit" but said the McLaren may be "more suited" to the venue than the "faster circuits" Alonso and team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne have driven on so far this season.
"I've won the race before, in 2009, and it's one of my all-time favourite racetracks," he added.
(rnz)
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