Button says Abu Dhabi will be his last race

“I go into this weekend thinking it is going to be my last race. I think that is the best way to be,” the 2009 world champion told reporters on Thursday. “At this moment in time I do not want to be racing in Formula One past this race. I think of this as my last race and hopefully everybody else does as well.” The 36-year-old Briton will be replaced at McLaren by Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne next season but the team have presented the veteran’s departure as a year’s sabbatical. Asked what had changed since September, when the announcement was made, Button said there was nothing in particular. “I don’t want to go into this race and think it’s not my last. And it is my last,” he said. “It is true that I have a contract for 2018 but at this moment in time I don’t want to be racing in 2018. Button is the most experienced driver on the grid, and Sunday’s race will be the 305th start of a career.