Jenson Button has contradicted Ron Dennis by admitting his future at McLaren is uncertain.
Team supremo Dennis had declared at Silverstone: "Jenson has a two year contract with McLaren. We are not even thinking about other drivers at the moment."
British journalists, however, immediately clarified Dennis’ reportedly misleading comment, insisting the 35-year-old’s deal is in fact a "one-plus-one" contract — meaning one guaranteed year and an option for 2016.
Subsequent reports have suggested the ’option’ expires in September, with rumours indicating the 2009 world champion might even be in the frame at Williams in the event Valtteri Bottas moves to Ferrari.
Asked if Dennis’ comments mean he is staying at McLaren in 2016, Button said: "It is not a given, no — there are always options everywhere."
Button, promoting his charity triathlon, was also asked about the unprecedentedly-long provisional calendar for 2016, featuring 21 races.
He said the schedule is more difficult for mechanics than the drivers, as they already "never get home and never see their family".
"I think we have to be careful of the length of the calendar for that reason more than anything else," said Button.