By alley - May 27, 2017, 10:45 AM ET

Monaco is ‘my last qualifying session’ - Button

Jenson Button insists Monaco will be his "last qualifying session" despite the satisfaction of setting the ninth-fastest time for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

The 2009 world champion was brought back to McLaren for this weekend to replace Fernando Alonso while the Spaniard races in the Indy 500. Despite not having driven the car before Thursday, Button was quickly up to speed and qualified ninth initially,

but will start from the back of the grid

due to a power unit penalty.

"I think If I was P9 and I hadn't been away I would be more disappointed," Button told Sky Sports. "No, it's been a great weekend. I was told to have fun and enjoy it, and I definitely have. Q3, I didn't enjoy so much because I said to the team before I went out, I had been out of the car for like 10 minutes now, I don't know what the circuit is going to do, I don't know what the tires are going to do, how this car is going to feel and I don't really know the limit of the car is.

"You can't find the limit around Monaco; you need to feel where that limit is on an open circuit. I have definitely been driving within myself which is a shame, but you have to around Monaco. So to be P9, I am very happy. I have enjoyed the weekend a lot and the team have been fantastic. It's my last qualifying session and probably one of my most enjoyable, and I finished ninth."

Asked if he really means it will be his last qualifying, Button replied: "I do mean that, yes. I haven't missed Formula 1.

"I haven't because I have had a good six months, then I come back and get in the car and I have absolutely loved it. I have really, really enjoyed it this weekend and not just driving the car, but the whole F1 atmosphere.

"I mean it's Monaco, it's pretty cool. Monaco and your home grand prix which are the two special ones, but I don't think they'll let me back for that one though. But it's lovely driving the car around here but as I said for me to find the limit, you can't, as you're in the wall so it's very, very difficult for me. I've enjoyed it immensely weekend."

Despite his positive outlook, Button admits the 15-place grid penalty he was handed for taking a new MGU-H and turbocharger was painful.

"No that still hurts. It doesn't matter how many races you have or not done. They told me yesterday, midday and it was like: 'Oh...'

"I was so excited about qualifying because Thursday went really well. We've both got penalties. Stoffel [Vandoorne] is going to start 12th now as he gains my position and I will start last so we're out of the points when we both would have started in the points. It's a shame but hey, it's never easy is it?"

Jokingly asked if the power unit penalties were Alonso's fault, Button responded: "I do blame him. I hope he has a rubbish race in Indy... I don't really, I hope he does really well."