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Newly-promoted McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne has said he is happy to see Jenson Button remain a part of McLaren's driver lineup next season, despite opting to take a year out from racing.
In what McLaren called "an innovative three-driver strategy", Vandoorne will race alongside Fernando Alonso, while Button will take up an ambassadorial and reserve driver role.
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"It's great to see Jenson stay on," said Vandoorne. "He has been an integral part of McLaren Honda, and his experience will be invaluable to push this team even harder."
Button's departure from his race seat is not being billed as a retirement, with McLaren having the option to recall the 2009 world champion in 2018, but despite the prospect of the Brit returning, Vandoorne doesn't feel threatened by the man he is replacing.
"I have been with McLaren for a long time, spent a lot of time with the team and it's been great for me to see how Jenson and Fernando have pushed this team forward," he said. "So I don't see [Button] as a threat. Next year we will have an incredible team with a lot of experience.
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