Button had ‘good-bye’ helmet ready for 2014 finale

Jenson Button had been told his contract with McLaren would not be renewed after the 2014 season and the Briton was preparing to bow out, according to former team-mate Kevin Magnussen.

The Danish driver, who is no longer employed by the Woking team, was told he would parter Fernando Alonso in 2015, but McLaren did an about-turn and instead chose to retain Button following last minute discussions.

“I was told that it was my seat, that I didn’t need to worry,” he told local Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.

“Jenson had his two best races at the end of the season. He did really well. But he had also hung photos of his entire career in his room. He had a helmet ready to go that said ‘good-bye’ on it.

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“He was driving only to have fun and enjoy his last two races without stress or pressure, believing 100 per cent that he was done in F1.”

Magnussen insists there are no hard feelings between him and the Briton, despite the decision ultimately ending his F1 career.

“Jenson is one of the best and there’s nothing bad between us,” he added. “We are in the same sport and competing for the same seats. There is full respect.

“I know why he got the seat and there’s nothing between him and me at all.”