Button confirms full-time Super GT programme for 2018

Jenson Button has confirmed he will race full-time in Japan next year when he enters the Super GT championship with a Honda-backed team.

2009 Formula 1 world champion Button stopped full-time grand prix racing at the end of 2016 when he stepped back from his seat at McLaren, only to make a surprise one-off return in Monaco this year.

Button stressed he did not want to return to F1 but was open to a full-season programme in 2018, either in Japan or the United States, with confirmation arriving during the Honda Thanks Day on Sunday at Motegi that he would be racing in Super GT next year in the GT500 class.

"I'll be racing for Honda and have a contract to race with Honda in Super GT in 2018," Button confirmed.

"It's been a dream for the last couple of years, I love the category. I did one race in Suzuka this year, and it got me very excited.

"I'm very excited about the new season. There's a lot of testing to be done to feel comfortable and hopefully improve the package and go out next year and be competitive."

Honda is yet to confirm which team Button will be racing with in Super GT next year, but the Briton got his first taste of the series when he entered the Suzuka 1000 km earlier this year with Team Mugen.