Jenson Button admitted that a future in the Australian V8 Supercar championship was not out of the question, after getting his first taste of one its touring cars in Melbourne on Tuesday.
The World Champion took part in a car-swap event, organized by McLaren sponsor Vodafone, with V8 title winner Jamie Whincup (also backed by Vodafone). Button completed three flying laps of the Albert Park circuit in Whincup's Holden Commodore, while the Australian driver achieved one of his lifetime's ambitions by trying out a 2008 McLaren F1 car. Both men were overjoyed with their experience – which has left Button in no doubt that a drive in V8s could be an option when his F1 career comes to an end.
"I was surprised how much grip the car had – you are in the braking zone for a lot longer which you hope would open up the possibility of overtaking," said Button. "So it is very exciting, it is very heavy, compared to what I am used to, but I enjoyed it all the same. If the possibility arose in the future [to race] it would be very exciting for me."
Whincup said his experience of the F1 car was hard to put into words, as he too completed several laps of the Albert Park track.
"The acceleration and the braking – I've never felt anything like it," he said. "Nothing like it at all. It is completely unbelievable! I can't really explain it.
"The car just does everything right. It was great knowing the track and having done a few miles in it in a racing car – but the grip [of the F1 car] was unbelievable."