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Coulthard Urges Button to Make 2009 Grid

One reason why Toro Rosso are delaying their decision to name their second driver for 2009 might be that Honda are unable to sell their team following their withdrawal from the sport. Should team principal Ross Brawn and Honda's racing operations CEO Nick Fry fail to find a buyer in the upcoming months, Button may be offered the chance to fill in the available Toro Rosso seat rather than sit the entire season off.

However, while admitting that he would do anything to compete in the upcoming season, Button did not express any desire to leave the Brackley-based team this winter. On the contrary, the British driver insisted he will stick with his team in 2009, as he believes the technical developments for the upcoming season will provide him with a good chance of making the points consistently.

Present at the Autosport International show the past weekend, former F1 veteran David Coulthard agreed with his countryman, but advised him to reconsider his position should the situation with his team remain the same a month from now.

“I'm not the team principal of Toro Rosso, but personally I think Jenson's desire to stay with the Brackley-based team is understandable. He's seen the investment and development there, he's known, liked and trusted within that organization and if he believes that team will be sold then it makes complete sense to stick with them while they go through that sales process because I'm sure he would be an asset in anyone's decision to buy that team,” said Coulthard.

“There will naturally be a point where he has to make a hard decision. I don't know when that point will be, but let's say it's the middle of February. He has to have a point in his mind where if that isn't likely to happen, the real risk of not being on the grid in 2009 has to be considered versus the opportunity to be out in a Toro Rosso for instance, who would appear to have a seat available.”

“I personally would not choose to sit out a year because if you are Alain Prost taking a year out when you've already won championships, or Niki Lauda retiring and being persuaded to come back, it was a different time and a different situation,” added the former Red Bull driver.
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