F1 future still unclear for Jenson Button as he fails to make mark at Silverstone again

Button, who is out of contract with McLaren at the end of the season, saw his Silverstone curse extend into a 17th campaign after he qualified back in 17th before finishing outside of the points in the rain-hit race.

Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren’s highly-rated reserve driver, is expected to replace Button next season. The team meanwhile insists they will not take a decision on their line-up until September.

Button’s uncertain future has courted the attention of Williams – the team with who he made his grand prix debut in 2000 – but when asked about his whereabouts beyond this season, Button, 36, replied: “It is all guess work because nobody has a clue what is going on.”

Asked if he did, the Englishman added: “Not until I make my mind up as to what I do for next year.

“The team have already said we are not going to discuss anything until September. We will see then. For now I am trying to enjoy racing, and hopefully Hungary will be better and we can fight for some points.”

Button, who has never finished on the podium in 17 races at Silverstone, endured a largely middling afternoon.

Indeed despite crossing the line in sixth at the Austrian Grand Prix, his result yesterday was more symptomatic of what has been a largely difficult 18 months in a below-par McLaren-Honda package.

“It was not an easy race and not an enjoyable one in terms of the driving,” concluded Button grimly.

“My race wasn’t helped by starting 17th.

“To get into the points, we need to be qualifying inside the top 10, hold on in the race, not make mistakes and hope to stay there.

“I couldn’t really close on the cars in front of me because we don’t yet have quite enough pace in the car to make up sufficient places in the race.

“It wasn’t an easy afternoon, but it was great to see all the fans cheering at the end.

“They got a British victory as well, so I’m sure they’re very happy.”