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Button: If I am needed by Mclaren I will be there

After it was announced he will step away from F1 in 2017, Jenson Button has reassured McLaren he will be ready to step in if needed.

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Jenson Button will be primed and ready should McLaren need him to step into the breach during the 2017 Formula One season.

It was announced on Saturday that the 2009 world champion had signed a two-year contract with McLaren, but he would step down as one of the team's lead drivers next year.

Instead Button will serve in a support role alongside Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, while also taking up an ambassadorial position within the British team.

However, the 36-year-old says he will be on call should team bosses need him to get back behind the wheel next year.

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"I've signed a two-year contract with the team, next year I won't be driving the car, I won't be racing the car," he told the official F1 website ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

"I will be living by my schedule, not Bernie's [Ecclestone] schedule, which I haven't done as long as I've been an adult.

"I've been a Formula One driver since I was 19 years old, so this is something I really need for myself, I need to feel refreshed.

"But the important part is I will be part of this team, I will be an ambassador for this team, I will be coming to quite a few races, I'll be spending time at the factory, I'll be driving the simulator.

"I'll be fit so if I'm needed I'll be there."

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