Button eyes Williams

Jenson Button was reportedly on the verge of joining Williams ahead of the 2016 season, and could join the Grove-based outfit in 2017.

The Briton’s future at McLaren was the subject of much speculation, with a new deal only agreed in October. Button penned a one-year deal, and so will once again have to negotiate new terms with McLaren or look for a move elsewhere.

With the contract of Williams’ Felipe Massa set to expire at the end of the season, and Valtteri Bottas tipped to move to one of the front-running teams, Button could once again consider a switch to Williams, according to Sky Sports pundit David Croft.

“Jenson very nearly joined Williams at the back end of last year,” Croft told Sky Sports.

“You could speculate that that was the case, that Williams kept their options open and didn’t take Valtteri’s [option] up. It wasn’t until Jenson was announced as a McLaren driver that Valtteri was then announced as a Williams driver.

“He’s out of contract, Felipe Massa’s out of contract and Williams will be looking at their driver line up.”

Should Button move to Williams, it will mark a return to the 36-year-old’s roots, with the 2009 World Champion having begun his F1 career with Williams in 2000.