Jenson Button casts doubt on McLaren future, with Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne considered for 2016 drive 

• Jenson Button signed a two-year deal with McLaren ahead of 2015 season
• McLaren have option on second year and are considering replacements
• CEO Ron Dennis denies scouting other drivers to replace 2009 champion 
• Kevin Magnussen or Stoffel Vandoorne could partner Fernando Alonso 

By Philip Duncan, Press Association

Published: 06:44 EST, 14 July 2015 | Updated: 09:48 EST, 14 July 2015

Jenson Button has revealed that his future at McLaren remains uncertain despite claims from Ron Dennis that he will still be racing for the team in 2016.

Dennis, the McLaren CEO, who was speaking at the recent British Grand Prix in which Button's race was over inside one minute, said: 'Jenson has a two-year contract with McLaren. We are not even thinking about other drivers at the moment.'

But when asked if the comments from Dennis were an indicator that he would be in Formula One next year, Button said: 'It is not a given, no - there are always options everywhere.'

Jenson Button (right) and Fernando Alonso (left) have been McLaren team-mates this season

Button spent Tuesday promoting cancer research and the Jenson Button Trust triathlon

McLaren CEO Ron Dennis has denied the team are looking to replace Button for next season

It is understood that while Button, 35, signed a two-year contract at the end of last season, the second year relies on McLaren taking up an option on the 2009 world champion.

Kevin Magnussen, McLaren's reserve driver who was dropped at the end of last season, and the highly-rated Stoffel Vandoorne, are both under consideration for his seat in 2016.

'We are not thinking about next year,' Button, who is in the midst of one of his worst seasons in Formula One, added.

'We are thinking about trying to improve the car this year. We have got a lot of work on our hands, and it is going to be a tough year but we are giving it our all.'

Should Button be retained by McLaren for next season, he will embark on an an unprecedented 21-race calendar after the provisional schedule for 2016 - with the inaugural Baku race in Azerbaijan included - was released last week.

Jenson Button head to head with Gordon Ramsey 'faster chef'

Button endured a miserable British Grand Prix earlier in July, retiring on the first lap after an accident

McLaren reserve driver Kevin Magnussen is being considered to replace the 2009 world champion in 2016 

'I think for the drivers it is fine because we love racing,' said Button, who was speaking as an ambassador of Santander Cycles.

'For the mechanics and the team it is a very long season and it is tougher for them. They are putting in such long hours that they never get home and never see their family, so for them it is tricky.

'I think we have to be careful of the length of the calendar for that reason more than anything else.'

Jenson Button was speaking at the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon in Derby. Button is an ambassador for Santander Cycles. For more information visit: Santander.co.uk/cycles

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