'If McLaren are winning, Alonso will be back in F1'

Former F1 world champion Jenson Button has said that Fernando Alonso made the right decision to leave F1 at the end of the season, but feels if McLaren begin to show pace in the next few years, he could return.

Alonso had grown frustrated with McLaren's lack of pace over the last few seasons, failing miserably to compete with Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, and the Spaniard made the decision to exit the sport at the end of the season.

It is unclear what he will chose to do next, but it looks likely that he will end up in IndyCar at some point as he chases the Triple Crown of Monaco Grand Prix win, Le Mans, and Indy 500.

Button agrees that Alonso has made the right call but that he could be tempted back in the future.

He said: "I said to him he’s finally made the right decision. He’s woken up and smelled the coffee, as we say.

"He’s finally made the right decision. It’s always down to the individual when they choose to leave Formula 1. He’s done the same thing as what I chose to do, leave but leave it open for one year after to go back.

"I think that’s the right option to do. But if the McLaren’s quick and it’s winning races, he’ll be back in Formula 1."

Button added that he doesn't expect Alonso to exit motorsport completely and fully expects him to have a busy schedule over the coming years.

He added: ""I think next year he’ll still have a busy schedule. You can’t stop a racing driver racing. I thought I could stop, but I can’t.

"If he’s racing for a win, he’s going to enjoy it a lot more, and you do. But when you’ve won multiple world championships like him and you’re fighting in the midfield, it does get boring after a while.

"You want to be at the front, not getting lapped by the leaders."