F1: McLaren hopes it can convince Button to stay

McLaren hopes it has done enough to convince Jenson Button to stay with the team next season, according to the Formula 1 squad's chief operating officer Jonathan Neale.

Button said on Thursday in Japan he is in "good talks" with McLaren with regards extending his stay into a seventh season, having previously said racing in McLaren's current situation gives him "little joy."

McLaren holds the option on Button's services for 2016, which is believed to expire at the end of the month, and ultimately it can decide whether the 2009 world champion continues. But Neale conceded McLaren has to "respect" a driver's decision if he doesn't want to stay.

"I really hope we've done enough between us to continue discussions with him and have the confidence to have him with us," said Neale. "There has been a lot of discussion about where Jenson is going.

"Jenson is a fantastic guy, world champion and a big part of our family and we're contracted with him. We want him to stay – we like him very much but if your driver really doesn't want to be in the team, you have to respect that."

Originally on Autosport.com