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Coulthard Warns: Button Might Be Forced Out!

Jenson Button might be sidelined for the upcoming year, should Ross Brawn & Co fail to secure a buyout by the end of the winter. And that's not us talking, but freshly-retired F1 driver David Coulthard. The Scot warned his British compatriot that no team will open their door now that they've already secured a drivers' lineup for 2009.

“There's a lockdown at the big teams at the moment, so they're not going to kick anyone out to make way for Jenson right now. He may have to wait on the subs' bench until the following year,” said Coulthard during the Race of Champions weekend at Wembley Stadium.

The British driver insisted, earlier this weekend, that he wants to stay with Ross Brawn's team whatever the prospects for 2009. He also said that his thoughts are not with the current financial situation of the team but with developing the racing programme for the upcoming season. His comments came only a week after he previously told British newspaper Daily Express “I am happy to listen to anybody who will give me the opportunity to race in F1, no matter the cost.”

Button might still get to race in 2009 since it is rumored that French group PSA is interested in buying Honda's Formula 1 team. Following the new cost-cutting plan announced by the FIA for the upcoming seasons, PSA have become more and more interested in investing in the Great Circle.

Shortly after Honda's announcement earlier this month, team's Chief Executive Officer Nick Fry revealed that he has received at least 3 buyout offers from independent investors. Should PSA decide to invest in Formula 1, Jenson Button's seat is not to be touched, while Sebastien Bourdais would most likely be preferred ahead of Bruno Senna in the team's lineup for 2009.
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