Brawn not joining McLaren in 2014 - Button

Jenson Button on Thursday said Ross Brawn is "for sure" not joining McLaren in 2014.

Amid reports Brawn has decided to step down at Mercedes, there has been speculation linking Button’s former Honda boss with McLaren.

So with McLaren linking up with the returning Honda for 2015, Button at Suzuka handballed the question to his boss Martin Whitmarsh.

However, 2009 ’Brawn GP’ champion Button did say: "One thing is for sure — Ross Brawn will not join the team next season," he told F1’s official website.

That leaves the door neatly open for 2015. Button, 33, said he could also be Honda-powered again the season after next.

"There’s a chance, yes," Button told reporters on Thursday. "There’s definitely a chance.

"I think it’s very special for Japan to have a manufacturer in the sport, but obviously that’s not for another year and a half.

"We’ve got a long time before that and hopefully a very good year next year with Mercedes-Benz," he added.