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Jenson Button’s one-off Formula One comeback at the Monaco Grand Prix turned into something of a nightmare, but what does the future now hold for the Frome racer?

Button’s return to McLaren went smoothly enough through to qualifying, where he set a time that should have been enough for an impressive ninth place on the grid.

But an engine penalty relegated the 2009 world champion to the back, and after spending almost the entire race stuck behind the Sauber of Pascal Wehrlein, a frustrated Button botched an overtake and sent the unfortunate German into a roll, ending both their races.

The irony of the spectacular collision was that it landed Button a three place grid penalty at his next Grand Prix this year, and two points on his racing licence, a suitable punishment for someone whose appearance at Monaco was nothing but a cameo.

With his Monte Carlo swansong now done and dusted, what can we expect Button to do next?

Triathlon

(Image: Getty Images)

A keen triathlete, Button is hoping to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in his age group later this year.

Having moved to California over the winter, Button has taken up the sport more religiously than ever.

He also organises the annual Jenson Button Trust Triathlon, which takes place in Derby on July 23.

Super GT

(Image: Getty Images)

Button has hinted at making a number of guest appearances in racing series this year , and he has given the Japanese Super GT Championship as a specific example.

The series has a number of ex-F1 drivers in it, including Heikki Kovalainen and Kazuki Nakajima, and there are several Honda entries in the championship, which fits in with Button’s McLaren contract.

While it is unclear when Button would compete in the series, its flagship event is the Suzuka 1000km on August 27.

Rallycross

(Image: Getty Images)



Button comes from a rallycross background. His late father John was a driver in the 1970s and 1980s and Jenson has spoken of his wish to follow in his footsteps.

A guest appearance in the World Rallycross Championship remains a real possibility, although it will not be on home soil this year, with the British round of the series having taking place last weekend.

Punditry

Button’s charismatic nature would make him a natural in front of the camera, and Channel 4 and Sky Sports would no doubt welcome him with open arms.

This would be unlikely to occur this year, save for a potential guest appearance. Part of Button’s decision to take a break from F1 was to escape the paddock, so expecting him to follow the sport around the world is a tall order.

Button has confirmed that he will attend the British and Japanese Grands Prix this year, though, so we will no doubt see him on our screens again soon.

More F1?

(Image: Getty Images)

As much as Button keeps talking up his status as a retired F1 driver, he does still remain under contract at McLaren until the end of 2018.

With Fernando Alonso’s future beyond his year up in the air, and Stoffel Vandoorne so far failing to impress in the other McLaren, he could well find himself called upon to race next season.

Even were Alonso to remain at McLaren in 2018, his impressive debut at the Indy 500 last weekend has almost certainly set up a return to a Brickyard, and potentially as soon as next year should he stay put.

Should that happen, and McLaren are left needing a replacement for the Monaco Grand Prix once again, Button would again be the obvious choice to stand in.