Britain's Jenson Button said Thursday that his sense of joy had disappeared from Formula One amid rumours the former world champion is set to retire from the sport.
Refusing to be drawn on the speculation that he had failed to secure a contract extension with underperforming McLaren, Button told reporters in Japan: "I don't like finishing 14th, I don't like finishing 10th. That's not what excites me."
The 35-year-old, who captured the world title in 2009, has endured a hugely frustrating season because of his car's unreliable Honda engine, and was forced to retire in Singapore last weekend.
"I don't think any driver has joy when they're not fighting for victories," said Button before this week's race in Suzuka. "That's what we're here for, that's what we love -- the challenge of fighting at the front.
"There are so many possibilities of what could happen next year, so may possibilities," he added. "But I can't give you anything else really since the last race. There's no more information to give you so you're going to have to wait a little longer, I'm sorry to say."
With McLaren in crisis, talks with team boss Ron Dennis have not progressed as hoped, raising the possibility Button could bring the curtain down on a 16-year career which has brought him a world title, with Brawn, and 15 victories in 278 races.
But Button, who made his F1 debut for the Williams team in 2000, insisted McLaren's issues could still be resolved, despite there being no clear sign that next year's model would offer him and Spanish team-mate Fernando Alonso any improvement.
"We are in good talks, the team and myself and that's it," he shrugged. "If you see a future then there's the possibility of joy coming back and that's exciting. But after the Singapore Grand Prix I wasn't joyful, no."
Flanked by Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, fresh from victory in Singapore, Button was hoping for better fortunes in an emotional Japanese race a year after a horror crash suffered by Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who later died from his injuries.
"We're here to concentrate on this weekend," said Button, who won at Suzuka in 2011 and is married to Japanese lingerie model Jessica Michibata. "It's a big weekend for us in front of Honda's home crowd, at their circuit."
When Vettel was asked, somewhat awkwardly, to sum up Button's career, the German waxed lyrical called him a "big character", prompting a cheesy grin from the Briton.
"Thanks mate," joked Button. "I'll start crying in a minute, it's so emotional."
AFP
Thu Sep 24 2015
![Formula One: Button says 'joy has gone' as exit rumours swirl Formula One: Button says 'joy has gone' as exit rumours swirl](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-09/61443086744_JensonButton.jpg)
Jenson Button who captured the world title in 2009, has endured a hugely frustrating season. - AP Photo/Rob Griffith
![Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721119130_wargaemasbersalah.jpg)
Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar
Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini mensabitkan kesalahan seorang warga emas atas dua pertuduhan pindaan membunuh abang dan kakak iparnya dua tahun lalu.
![PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721120782_TBMASERMIEYATI.jpg)
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin berkata tempoh itu diberikan susulan laporan audit berkaitan, baru dibentangkan pada minggu lepas.
![Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721118437_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi
Penambahbaikan aspek perundangan akan diteliti kerajaan, termasuk mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa kementerian berkaitan dalam masa terdekat.
![Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/81575261818_GobindSinghDeo.jpg)
Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind
Beliau menegaskan bahawa pelaksanaan e-Invois itu akan memberi manfaat, termasuk meningkatkan pendapatan PKS.
![Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai? Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721117483_KimPangon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?
Bekas pengendali skuad negara itu dilaporkan sedang menjadi calon utama untuk mengisi jawatan pengurus kelab gergasi Korea Selatan, Ulsan Hyundai.
![Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/41482504881_TamanTasikTitiwang.jpg)
Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau
Daripada keluasan itu, sebanyak 977.55 hektar tanah telah diwartakan, manakala 1,416.24 hektar tanah lapang yang berpotensi akan dan sedang dalam proses diwartakan.
Guna jawatan untuk projek pembekalan, suami isteri ditahan
Sepasang suami isteri direman enam hari dalam siasatan penyalahgunaan jawatan untuk mendapatkan projek pembekalan bernilai lebih RM200,000.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
DBKL ubah lalu lintas Jalan Sultan Ismail bermula 22 Julai
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) akan melaksanakan perubahan lalu lintas di Jalan Sultan Ismail berkuat kuasa 22 Julai ini.
![ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721116604_ChongZheminDewan.jpg)
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
[TERKINI] Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka kembali teguh
Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka teguh sepanjang tahun ini, demikian menurut BMI, iaitu syarikat Fitch Solitions.
![F1: Hamilton beri penghargaan kepada penonton di Silverstone F1: Hamilton beri penghargaan kepada penonton di Silverstone](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-07/71626498308_TBLewisHamilton.jpg)
F1: Hamilton beri penghargaan kepada penonton di Silverstone
Ketinggalan kepada Verstappen dengan 32 mata dalam saingan Kejohanan Pemandu, Hamilton meraih momentum di Silverstone selepas mengatasi pelumba kelahiran Belanda itu dalam aksi kelayakan.
![F1: Grand Prix Turki dibatalkan F1: Grand Prix Turki dibatalkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/61621035807_FormulaOneF.jpg)
F1: Grand Prix Turki dibatalkan
Aksi itu akan digantikan dengan perlumbaan kedua di Austria.
![Hamilton harap kelab kegemarannya kembali menyerlah Hamilton harap kelab kegemarannya kembali menyerlah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/51608270038_lewishamilton.jpg)
Hamilton harap kelab kegemarannya kembali menyerlah
Juara dunia tujuh kali F1 Lewis Hamilton berharap kelab bola sepak kegemarannya, Arsenal akan bangkit kembali selepas menerima banyak kritikan daripada peminat dan menjadi bahan ejekan di internet.
![Grand Prix Vietnam dikeluar dari kalendar 2021 Grand Prix Vietnam dikeluar dari kalendar 2021](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-11/51604971385_GrandPrix.jpg)
Grand Prix Vietnam dikeluar dari kalendar 2021
Langkah menarik keluar dari senarai itu dibuat berikutan terdapat kes rasuah melibatkan seorang pegawai tertinggi yang bertanggungjawab bagi perlumbaan di Hanoi itu.
![Keadaan terkini Michael Schumacher, koma atau sudah sedar? Keadaan terkini Michael Schumacher, koma atau sudah sedar?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81603882785_MichaelSchumacher.jpg)
Keadaan terkini Michael Schumacher, koma atau sudah sedar?
Luca Badoer, bekas rakan sekerja Schumacher di Ferrari mengatakan hanya isterinya yang memilih siapa yang dibenarkan untuk berkunjung.
![Vettel patut pilih untuk bersara - Jackie Stewart Vettel patut pilih untuk bersara - Jackie Stewart](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-10/81602977791_SebastianVettel.jpg)
Vettel patut pilih untuk bersara - Jackie Stewart
Vettel mengakui sebelum menandatangani dengan Aston Martin bahawa bersara adalah pilihan yang sedang dipertimbangkan, dan Stewart berasakan meninggalkan F1 pasti menjadi pilihan yang baik.
![Grand Prix di Brazil, AS mungkin dibatalkan Grand Prix di Brazil, AS mungkin dibatalkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/71593820625_TotoWolff.jpg)
Grand Prix di Brazil, AS mungkin dibatalkan
Formula One masih berharap agar dapat melangsungkan antara 15 dan 18 perlumbaan sepanjang tahun ini.
![Button terkejut dengan keputusan Vettel tinggalkan Ferrari Button terkejut dengan keputusan Vettel tinggalkan Ferrari](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-05/71589348932_FormulaOne.jpg)
Button terkejut dengan keputusan Vettel tinggalkan Ferrari
Vettel menafikan wang adalah alasan pemergiannya, dengan menyatakan kedua-dua pihak "tidak mempunyai keinginan untuk tetap bersama."
![COVID-19: Perlumbaan F1 Grand Prix Shanghai ditunda COVID-19: Perlumbaan F1 Grand Prix Shanghai ditunda](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-02/51581001400_shanghai.jpg)
COVID-19: Perlumbaan F1 Grand Prix Shanghai ditunda
Perlumbaan F1 Grand Prix Shanghai yang dijadualkan berlangsung 19 April depan, telah ditunda susulan wabak COVID-19 yang melanda China.
![Michael Schumacher sedang terima rawatan di Paris Michael Schumacher sedang terima rawatan di Paris](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-09/81568126665_MichaelSchumacher.jpg)
Michael Schumacher sedang terima rawatan di Paris
Lagenda Formula One, Michael Schumacher dilaporkan sedang menerima rawatan di sebuah hospital di Paris.