McLaren's team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, has confirmed that Jenson Button will be with the team next season.

Following the Belgian Grand Prix just under a fortnight ago, Button urged Whitmarsh to finally take up the option on his contract for 2012 given his desire to remain with the Woking-based marque.

At the time Button said: "All he [Whitmarsh] has to do is say yes, and I will say yes because I want to be here next year.

"It's up to the team as to when they approach me, but for me I'm the happiest I've been with the car."

Whitmarsh has now confirmed the 31-year-old will see out the final year of the three-year deal he signed at the end of 2009 following his title-winning campaign with Brawn GP.

Whitmarsh said: "Jenson will be here next year. We know that, he knows that. There's nothing complicated about it.

"But we're looking to do a deal that will see him race for McLaren for the rest of his career.

"That may be for the next three years or the next five years. Who knows. Jenson is a mature and very intelligent guy. And he is still as fit as a flea and still hungry to race.

"He could take on an ambassador's role for McLaren. We're looking into GT racing and Le Mans and there's no reason why he can't use his experience in those projects."