Button replaces Alonso in 2017 Monaco GP
Jenson Button comes out of retirement for Monte-Carlo
The veteran F1 driver announced his retirement from racing at the end of the 2016 season. Button then went on to sign a contract with McLaren that committed him to replacing any race driver not able to take part in a grand prix this year in 2017.
McLaren have taken payment on that debt early in the 2017 season and have called him Jenson Button up to replace Fernando Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix, due to take place on 28th May. Alonso had previously announced his intention to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in the United States. The IndyCar race takes place on the same date as the Monaco GP and Alonso's ambition is to win the 'triple crown' of racing - Monaco, the Indy 500 and Le Mans.
"As a driver, if you want to be considered the best, you need to be able to drive all kind of cars in all different series,'' said 35-year-old Alonso, who has twice won in Monaco and hasn't yet competed at Le Mans.
After spending the winter in California training for Ironman triathlons, Jenson Button is excited about his return to racing on what he considers his home grand prix - Monaco, "I've won the race before, in 2009, and it's one of my all-time favourite racetracks."
McLaren will be credited with any points won by Button. Both the team and Alonso have yet to win a point this season and are unlikely to be in the shake-up for either title.
