Button expects ‘hugely emotional’ Abu Dhabi GP

As Jenson Button prepares to say goodbye to Formula 1, at least for a season, the Brit admits it is going to be a "hugely emotional" weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier this year Button announced that he would be taking a year-long sabbatical away from the Formula 1 grid, instead extending his stay at McLaren as an ambassador for the brand.

His race-seat will go to rookie driver Stoffel Vandoorne.

Button's decision, which could yet see him return to the grid in 2018, means this weekend's season finale could mark his final Formula 1 grand prix.

"I’m really looking forward to this weekend, and have been for a few races now," he said.

"It marks a very special chapter in my life and I’ll have my friends and some of my family out in Abu Dhabi with me which I’m very excited about. 

"It’s going to be a hugely emotional weekend and I hope with the support of the fans, the team and the people that are closest to me, we can go out there and give it our absolute maximum and enjoy the weekend.

"It’s not the end of my career with McLaren-Honda, but it’s the start of a new phase that I’m incredibly positive about. 

"This race marks the culmination of a huge amount of hard work, dedication and passion for the sport that I love and I’m immensely proud of everything I’ve achieved in the past 17 seasons, and the fantastic progress we’ve made over the past couple of years with McLaren-Honda. 

"It’s been an amazing project to work on and my involvement certainly won’t end here. I’m looking forward to concluding this chapter in style and starting a new one with just as much enthusiasm, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds."