McLaren Racing Director Says Team 'Intends' to Keep Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso

Jenson Button, it is intended, will remain at McLaren next year alongside Fernando Alonso in an unchanged drivers' line-up, the team's racing director Eric Boullier said on Friday.  (Alonso, Button Face More Grid Penalties in Italian Grand Prix)

The Frenchman told reporters at a news conference ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix that the team hopes it can find a home for its two younger drivers of potential, possibly with another team. (Button Backs Off from Harsh Criticism of McLaren Car)

Dane Kevin Magnussen raced for McLaren last year (2014) before the arrival of Alonso and Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, the current leader of the GP2 series, is widely tipped to be a future star. (WATCH: Jenson Button Loves India)

"As far as we are concerned, McLaren-Honda, we have only two cars so there will be only two race seats," said Boullier. "We have two world champions and we do intend to keep them so far."

Asked about the futures of the others, he added: "Obviously we expect the four of them to race in 2016."

"It's a luxury to have four good drivers. Stoffel and Kevin are very good drivers. Both of them we expect to be in Formula One and, if we cannot accommodate them at home, we will do our best to make sure they can race next year."

Button's future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks as he waits to see if the team decides to take up their option on his services.