McLaren has confirmed Jenson Button will remain at the team in 2016 to end months of uncertainty about his future.
There was speculation McLaren would not exercise the 2016 option on Button's contract, while the 2009 world champion's motivation to continue was also called into question in recent weeks. The news means Button's career will extend into a 17th season and means another part of the driver puzzle has fit into place for 2016.
In Singapore, McLaren CEO Ron Dennis said he intended to retain Button alongside Fernando Alonso for next season and confirmed the news on Thursday morning.
"Jenson and I have been discussing his plans in private for the past few weeks, and the fact that our talks have led to today's announcement is very pleasing to both of us and will delight and motivate all at McLaren-Honda," Dennis said. "As I have made clear whenever I have been asked about the subject, Jenson's current contract is of two years' duration [2015 and 2016]. There is a 'terminate after year one' option that McLaren could have triggered if we had wished to do so, but, once it became clear from my many conversations with Jenson that he remained as enthusiastic and as committed and as focused as ever, that option immediately became an irrelevance."
"That being the case, Jenson will race for McLaren-Honda next year, under the terms and conditions as set out in the two-year contract that both parties entered into a year ago."
The confirmation means McLaren junior drivers Kevin Magnussen, who drove for the team in 2014 and at this year's Australian Grand Prix, and GP2 series leader Stoffel Vandoorne, will need to be found seats at another team if they want to race in 2016.