Could Honda’s demise spell the end of Button’s F1 career?

“Bugger.”

One week ago, Jenson Button confidently predicted that Honda would return to form in 2009. It was a fair assessment too - the team spent most of this season developing its car for next season, under the genius guidance of Ross Brawn (speaking of Brawn, Ferrari may come knocking again). And frankly, they couldn’t have been much worse than they were in 2008.

But with the shock news that Honda is set to quit F1, Button finds himself up a stinky creek without a steering device (like a paddle, say).

Does Jens sit tight and hope that a buyer rescues Honda in the next few weeks? Or should he get on the phone to Toro Rosso - the only team yet to finalise its driver line-up for ‘09 - and beg for an eleventh-hour test (bear in mind that he’d have to take a substantial wage cut for that to happen)?

The thing is, we don’t see Toro Rosso being interested in Button, even if he was to accept less cash. They prefer young, hungry drivers, or drivers who can offer serious financial clout, like Takuma Sato. The Englishman falls into neither category.

One consequence of Honda’s withdrawal might, perversely, benefit Button. With one (or two) less teams on the grid, the likes of McLaren and Ferrari may end up running three cars, which would create extra seats.

The most cynical view is that Button’s days in F1 are numbered. The same goes for Honda team-mate Rubens Barrichello. Oh well, there’s always Speedcar.

If you were Button, what would you do now?

Crasher bonus! Button on Top Gear: