McLaren driver Jenson Button has achieved the 300 races milestone in F1 racing at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend. The F1 world champion in 2009 is only the third F1 racer that achieved such feat, only behind Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher.
Jenson Button reached the 300 races mark at the age of 36 after passing through the teams of Williams, Benetton, Honda, Brawn GP and now McLaren. The Briton has achieved a total of 15 victories and has become one of the most respected pilots Formula 1 over the years, able to cope with adverse conditions better than anyone.
Going To The Side Tracks
Ironically, Jenson Button celebrated his 300 races achievement by announcing that he is most likely in his last year in Formula 1. The British gave way to new generations of F1 drivers the next season and will just be on the side tracks supporting his McLaren team.
This news is surprising as here were rumors linking the U.K. to transfer in the Williams team where there is a vacant seat following the retirement of Felipe Massa.
McLaren has announced its drivers for 2017 will be Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne. Jenson Button will remain on the team, but as the third driver or a development driver of the car where Button's role is to substitute in any of the 2 drivers' place if any of the two will leave or will not be able to race in any circumstances. Button will also carry out the development work on the cars in McLaren and will also be the ambassador of the team, something that interests the company given the value of the British world champion.
McLaren didn't rule out the possibility that Button will change his mind and will be back as the front driver in 2018.
Just behind Michael Schumacher
Jenson Button holds the 300 record and still drive this season. Unless major surprises or unfortunate events happen, Button can finish the season and his record will go up and he will just need two runs to reach Michael Schumacher's record at 307 and will seat him at the 2nd place just behind Rubens Barrichello's 322 record.
However, when it comes to career points, Schumacher is still ahead of Button with a huge margin as he has 1566 points against 1231 of Button, where Lewis Hamilton tops this points incredibly with a 2132 record.
It is unfortunate that Schumacher can't give the fight that Button deserves as the racer has since retired after a devastating accident last 2013. Sources say that it will take a miracle for Michael Schumacher to be back on track as the racer can't even stand nowadays.
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