Jenson Button has taken a step towards Formula One retirement, opting not to race for McLaren in 2017.

The veteran Brit has agreed a new contract with the manufacturer until 2018, but will now serve in a support role alongside Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, who has been promoted from reserve driver to the main line-up.

Button, the 2009 world champion, had been linked with a return to Williams, where he began his career in 2000, as a replacement for the retiring Felipe Massa.

Instead he will remain linked with McLaren in what the team has described as an "innovative role focusing on team and car development".