British driver Jenson Button recognized on Saturday that he might have to take a year out of Formula One next season if his Honda team fail to find a rescuer.

"At the moment, I'm completely focused on working with the team to try to find someone to buy it - that has to be my best option for 2009," the 28-year-old told the autosport.com website at the draw for Sunday's Race of Champions event at Wembley Stadium.

"I'd rather not take a year out because I think that is bad for a racing driver, but that is always an option also," added Button.

"But my first aim is to race with the Brackley-based team, whatever they're called next year."

The Briton runs the risk of being left out in the cold for 2009 after Honda announced this month that they were pulling out of F1 for financial reasons.

Only Toro Rosso have a clear vacancy and they are close to making a decision, with Swiss rookie Sebastien Buemi expected to partner Japan's Takuma Sato or France's Sebastien Bourdais.

Button, who made his debut with Williams in 2000, had a long-term contract with Honda and had been hoping for a change in fortunes next year after wrestling with a poorly-handling car this season.

"I'm pretty positive that we'll get a buyer, it's a great opportunity for anyone. The facilities we have are second to none, they really are," said the Englishman.

"We have an amazing team principal in Ross Brawn and the factory is fighting very hard to race next season. If we are on the grid next year, we will be a much stronger team for it."

(Agencies via China Daily December 15, 2008)