Jenson Button has signed a new long-term deal with McLaren. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Jenson Button has pledged his future to
McLaren by agreeing a new "multi-year contract" with the British-based
Formula One team.
The 2009 world champion joined McLaren at the start of the 2010 season, recording two wins on the way to finishing fifth in the championship.
This season the 31-year-old has enjoyed the upper hand on his team-mate Lewis Hamilton and lies second in the drivers' championship behind the seemingly impregnable Sebastian Vettel with five races remaining.
The team said in a statement: "Jenson's re-signing is a move that will strengthen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes's long-term stability as it continues to grow and develop its race-winning form into further world championship successes."
Button, who famously won the 2009 title with Brawn GP after ending 2008 with his F1 career in tatters following the withdrawal of Honda, said he was delighted to commit his future to the team.
"I've never felt more at home at a team than I do at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes," said Button. "I've won four of the greatest races of my life here, I'm currently lying second in the drivers' world championship, and I feel that I'm driving better than ever.
"You can only achieve that with the right level of support – and I truly believe that the passion and determination to win are stronger here at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes than anywhere else.
"As a grand prix driver, those are incredibly powerful feelings to share and be part of, and they've only reinforced my desire to commit my long-term future to this team.
"I've made no secret of my ambition to continue winning races and world championships, and I fully believe this is the place where I can achieve those aims."
