Button wants to race full-time in 2018

Jenson Button is targeting a full-time racing seat in 2018, admitting that he is missing the thrill of wheel to wheel action. The Brit took a step back from F1 at the end of 2016, after racing in the pinnacle of motorsport for seventeen years.

He made a one-off appearance this year at the Monaco Grand Prix, filling in for Fernando Alonso who traveled to the US to race in the Indy 500. This weekend, Button will race the Suzuka 1000 which is part of the Super GT championship, and admits that he could eye up a full-time move next year.

"I will be definitely doing something next year for a full season," the 2009 world champion said. "Whether it's here or in America or somewhere else, I don't know yet. But the discussions are underway. We'll see how this weekend goes. If it goes well and if I enjoy the weekend, which I think I will, then maybe I could be racing here next year."

Button admits that he is impressed by the Super GT cars, stating that they feel like F1 cars through the corners: "The cars are great to drive. They are fast, here's a lot of downforce and you can carry a lot of speed through the corners," he said.

"Through the corners, it feels like a Formula 1 car, which is pretty spectacular. And also you have the GT300 cars to overtake. It's another added challenge for me, something that's new to me. So lots of new things this weekend. Lots to learn. But I've always looked forward to a new challenge."

Fergal Walsh