Button: We must stay positive

The global credit crisis, resulting in a dramatic slump in car sales for the Japanese manufacturing giant, has forced Honda Motor Co Ltd to pull the plug on their £200million-per-year F1 operation.

"It came as much of a shock to me as everyone else, and the first couple of hours were the most painful," remarked Button. "But after that I thought, 'What's the point of being down and trying to look at every reason for it?'.

After nine years competing at the pinnacle of motor sport, British driver Button stands on the brink of being without a drive for next season unless a buyer can be found.

However, there is potentially hope on the horizon as Honda Racing chief executive Nick Fry has confirmed three overseas parties have expressed an interest in a potential buy-out, most likely from the Middle East.

The only other option open to Button is a race seat with Toro Rosso who are the sole team yet to confirm their line-up for 2009.

He added: "It's not going to change, so we just have to try and be positive, and after speaking to (team principal) Ross (Brawn) and a few other people, there are positives.

"The thing is we need to stay positive in ourselves, and as one team, because if we're not, then who is going to be interested in taking us over?"

Honda are hoping a credible buyer will be found before Christmas, although it will naturally take longer for a deal to be finalised.

Fry, though, sees no reason why the team will not be lining up on the grid for the opening race of 2009 in Australia on March 29. "Clearly the global economic situation is weak, but for someone who wants a fully-fledged F1 team that is really teetering on the edge of what could be an extremely good season, this could be a bargain," added Fry.