Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button will make a one-off return to the sport next month.
It has been confirmed that the 2009 title winner will compete for McLaren at the Monaco Grand Prix, deputising for two time champion Fernando Alonso, who will miss the iconic race while he takes part in the Indianapolis 500.
Having signed a two year ambassadorial contract, Button is officially the reserve driver for the team but he effectively went into semi-retirement at the end of last season.
Commenting on the McLaren official website, Button was upbeat about his prospects in a one-off return to Formula 1.
"I’m thrilled to be making a one-off return to Formula 1 racing, and I couldn’t think of a better place to make that return than my adopted home Grand Prix: Monaco," he said.
"I’ve won the race before, in 2009, and it’s one of my all-time favourite racetracks. It’s a tricky street circuit on which a good driver can really make a difference – and, although the McLaren-Honda MCL32 hasn’t begun the season well, I think it may be more suited to Monaco than to the faster circuits that Fernando [Alonso] and Stoffel [Vandoorne] have raced it on so far this season."
Button also backed former team-mate Alonso to make an impression at the Indy 500, one of motorsport's Triple Crown along with F1's Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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