Jenson Button urges Max Verstappen to be ‘selfish’ and avoid ruining F1 career

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Jenson Button has told Max Verstappen not to make the ‘wrong call’ amid reports that the Dutchman’s management held discussions with McLaren.The four-time Formula 1 champion is contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028, but is understood to have an exit clause in his agreement.Button spoke exclusively to talkSPORT about Verstappen’s futureGettyHis deal allows him to join another outfit in 2027 should he be outside the top two in the Drivers’ Championship standings, where he currently sits seventh.However, Red Bull appears to be on an upwards trajectory with the 28-year-old finishing second at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend.The Dutchman cooled down the rumours, stating: “I have nothing really to add to that, I’m just focused on what I’m doing here with the team.“We had a positive weekend last week and we want to try to keep that momentum going.”talkSPORT spoke exclusively to 2009 title winner Button at an event hosted by global ticket marketplace, Viagogo and asked what he believed would be the best path for Verstappen to make.He said: “The thing for me with Max, he knows the environment at Red Bull, I’m sure with certain people leaving the team, he’s wondering why.“There’s Gianpiero Lambiase, you have Jonathan Wheatley, and obviously Paul Monaghan who are leaving the team, so he’s probably thinking, where do we go from here?“So his manager would be wrong to not ask around for other opportunities in the sport. Max has a shelf life, because he will get bored of being in the midfield and he’ll want to go and race in something else.“He is an unbelievable talent that I personally have never seen before. He can do amazing things with a race car but he also wants to have fun, he wants to enjoy himself, and fighting further down the field isn’t what he’s here for.“I think, looking at how Red Bull did in Austria, he would definitely be relatively positive about what he’s able to achieve with the car against Mercedes.Button has now turned into a well-respected presenter for Formula 1Getty“Both drivers are fast at Mercedes and their cars work well pretty much everywhere.“For Red Bull to be up there with them at the end, and within a second of the win, will give him a lot of confidence.“He finished so far in front of the McLarens. So, for a racing driver, it’s very difficult to pick and choose where you want to be in the future and I have to say, you have to be selfish about it. You really do.“It’s very easy to make the wrong call, and that is your career done.”Button was once subject to a high-profile move of his own after he left Brawn GP following the season he won his sole championship.The Brit wanted fresh motivation and felt McLaren offered a more stable, long-term environment to fight for further victories.Button won the championship in Brawn GP’s first and only season in F1Signing with the Woking-based team placed him directly alongside then-2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and elevated Button’s status in the paddock.He secured 25 podiums during his seven years at the team, including some of his most legendary wins, such as his masterclass drive from last place to win the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix.Despite poor form in his final two seasons in the sport due to McLaren’s struggling Honda engines, his experience was crucial in guiding the team through development. He retired from F1 in 2017, noted as one of the most respected drivers in the sport’s history.