As I continue to prattle on about the future of Jenson Button—at the risk of sounding like a Button apologist—I did find Andrew Benson’s article an interesting, if not predictable, read.

According to Button’s manager, Richard Goddard, Jenson is open to a switch to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Citing the recent move of Mark Webber from F1 to WEC, Goddard reckons the series is legit now—although I do has to say that Webber is far from the first F1 driver to seek refuge in the series—and Jenson could be talked into moving there in the right team.

“McLaren aren’t sure what they’re doing and what their line-up will be. That’s pretty obvious.
“Anyone who has a race seat available would like to have Jenson in it.
“Jenson is still focused on F1 but would only want to be in one of the top teams. So we’re always open to talking to anyone.
“The world endurance championship is a formidable series that is gaining strength and Mark going there has added a lot to it.
“It is a very credible race series to compete in.
“Jenson is an incredibly competitive racing driver who wants to race. He’s too good to sit at the back of the F1 grid. So he either gets a competitive car in F1 or he goes to get one elsewhere.”

It’s all about timing. Although Webber wasn’t the first F1 driver to move to the WEC, he is a person who lends tremendous endorsement to the series and at a time when F1 is struggling with fan loyalty and perception regarding the new format and regulations and lack of competitiveness.

He never showed any interest in it, but I would have loved to see Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in the series.

Benson says that there are reports that Button’s camp has already spoken to Porshce but the team hasn’t solidified its future plans for a third-car effort in 2015.

It’s hard to know if Jenson will find a home in F1 for 2015. It’s not that I am the president of the Jenson Button fan club but the current trend of ageism is concerning to me of late. It seems all “isms” are an anathema with the current culture…except ageism. I was raised to respect those who have been plying their craft for longer than I and to respect the elderly. I guess those rules don’t apply in F1 these days as a 34-year-old is considered an “old man” and apparently this is no country for old men.