Jenson Button does not want to follow Fernando Alonso’s move by racing in the Indianapolis 500 but says he would like to tackle the Le Mans 24 Hours.
“Indy has not really been something I’ve ever thought about,” said Button during today’s FIA press conference in Monaco.
“Personally I was surprised that Fernando was interested in doing it. But we all like different things. We’re racing drivers, not just F1 drivers and we like trying other sports.”
“I’d like to race in NASCAR, I think that’d be fun. I went along to one of the races this year, Jimmie Johnson invited me, I had a great time. I loved seeing the show as it is, it’s very different to other motorsports. But equally it’s a massive challenge. And there’s other motorsports that I love like rallycross as well. There are many things but Indy hasn’t been up there for many different reasons.”
However Button said he had followed Alonso’s progress on his debut in an IndyCar two weeks ago.
“I watched when he drove the car for the first time, which is always interesting seeing a driver’s reaction. Actually probably it was more the reaction to the media being right next to him every second that he was out of the car.”
“That’s the bit that I loved watching the most because we all know how Fernando loves the media. Seeing his reaction to that was even better than his reaction to driving the car around the circuit. It’s absolutely mad, isn’t it, Indy, in terms of the media and how much attention it’s getting. Which is fantastic for the sport, I just want to see what Fernando says when he gets back.”
“Of course I have an interest, I’ve been team mates with Fernando for a couple of years and raced against Fernando for many more years than that. So it’s interesting to see how he does, very different type of motorsport, there’s a lot of talent out there and drivers that have been doing that for so many years. It’ll be interesting to see how he gets on. Qualifying went pretty well and the race is obviously something very different. Wheel-to-wheel around there is pretty mad. I wish him the best and the most important thing is he stays safe.”
2017 Monaco Grand Prix
- What do drivers ask in their pre-race briefing? New video reveals all
- Arrivabene “laughing” at claims Vettel is team’s number one
- Sainz takes first Driver of the Weekend win
- 2017 Monaco Grand Prix team radio transcript
- Boring or unique? Monaco GP rating hits ten-year low
San
24th May 2017, 14:56
“Indy has not really been something I’ve ever thought about,” said Alonso during today’s FIA press conference in Monaco.
He’ll be very surprised then this Sunday.
Robbie (@robbie)
24th May 2017, 15:56
Lol
Damon (@damon)
24th May 2017, 17:00
Hahhaa “Where am I? What am I doing here? What is this car…. ah… Honda powered? No thanks!”
Jere (@jerejj)
24th May 2017, 15:01
“Indy has not really been something I’ve ever thought about,” said Alonso during today’s FIA press conference in Monaco.” – Alonso isn’t even in Monaco, LOL.
Rick (@)
24th May 2017, 20:32
@jerejj Haven’t you heard? Elon Musk just announced on Twitter that he has opened the first Hyperloop track, it goes from Monaco to Indianapolis, taking just 1 hour. Button will run the practice tomorrow, but Alonso will jump in on Saturday for quali and then on Sunday for the race. After he has won the Monaco GP, he will skip the podium ceremony and hop on the Hyperloop to make it just in time for the Indy 500 race.
Needless to say… he’ll win the Indy 500 as well. And of course he’ll then announce his Le Mans entry with Toyota straight away. ;-)
PT (@pt)
25th May 2017, 15:57
How much time does it take, in the real world, to travel from Monaco to Indianapolis?
AntoineDeParis (@antoine-de-paris)
24th May 2017, 15:20
“Indy has not really been something I’ve ever thought about,” said Alonso during today’s FIA press conference in Monaco.
Alonso so big, he overrides identities.
Kelsier (@kelsier)
24th May 2017, 15:37
Button and Alonso sharing a car for Le Mans next year would be nice…
Rick (@)
24th May 2017, 20:32
@kelsier Why not add Webber? You need 3 drivers anyway.
Mark Jackson (@markjackson)
24th May 2017, 15:45
“Indy has not really been something I’ve ever thought about,” said Alonso during today’s FIA press conference in Monaco.
Some say, it wasn’t Alonso driving in Indy last weekend….
Aldoid
24th May 2017, 21:14
I’m fairly certain that a few years ago Jenson said he wasn’t interested in any racing series that had different tier cars racing at the same time & sharing the same real estate. Change of heart, eh Jense?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111989
San
24th May 2017, 21:24
Probably. This is over three years ago and I believe ordinary life can be a bit vanilla for guys who’re used to the adrenaline rush of racing.
Talking about your retirement is a different thing than actually being retired.