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Jenson Button has revealed he turned down offers from two teams to race in Formula One this season.

Button left the sport at the end of 2016 but will be making a one-off comeback at the Monaco Grand Prix when he replaces Fernando Alonso at McLaren in a fortnight’s time.

The 37-year-old had made any secret of his desire to take a year out of full-time racing - although he may take part in several one-off races after his Monaco return - but said that did not stop two teams from making him offers.

Speaking on the Santander 123 World film set in London, Button said: “'I had so many options to race this year it is hilarious.

"That even went into this year with two different teams asking me to race. I have no interest in doing that."



Button did not confirm the identity of the two teams in question, but the Frome racer was linked with both Mercedes and Williams at the end of last year after world champion Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement sparked unexpected movement in the driver market.

Renault also left it until late in the year to confirm that Jolyon Palmer would be partnering Nico Hulkenberg at the Enstone outfit in 2017.

The 2009 world champion has a contract to race for McLaren next year and has not ruled out making a return in 2018.

With Alonso – who is missing Monaco to race in the Indy 500 – linked with a switch to Renault and Stoffel Vandoorne yet to show his potential with the Woking outfit his season, a vacancy with the team could arise for next season.

Button added: “I can't rule it out.

“I have a contract with the team to race next year so I would definitely not rule anything out.”

