Another year, another half of a Formula One season where Jenson Button's future remains cause for speculation.
The 2009 world champion is battling once more to improve a down-on-power McLaren alongside two-time title winner Fernando Alonso.
Button did the same last year when the Honda engine in the back of his car saw him end the season with just 16 points.
And all the time he was battling for his future with the Woking-based marque.
In the end Ron Dennis preferred to keep the experienced Briton rather than opt for a young gun such as Stoffel Vandoorne.
It was a drawn-out affair which Button handled with quiet dignity - it looked like he would lose his seat, as was rumoured when Alonso was first signed the previous year and he went head to head with Kevin Magnussen to partner the Spaniard.
Twelve months ago there was talk of Williams, talk of retirement and even talk of presenting the BBC's rebooted Top Gear.
Button appeared on the show, fronted instead by Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc, last month fuelling speculation that could still yet be his future.
But the 26-year-old insists he is still not finished with F1.
"I don't know what l am doing next year," he conceded in an interview carried on Sky Sports.
"I want to be enjoying myself again and be in a position whether l can fight for good results, whether it's a building year, a podium year or a winning year. That's what l need.
"Hopefully McLaren will be strong and competitive next year but I'm sure there are other possibilities as well."
Williams gave Button his break in the sport as a fresh-faced 20-year-old and their deputy team principal, Claire Williams, admits they may yet look to secure a return for 2017, labelling Button an 'attractive proposition'.
Button, for now, wants to fight for points at McLaren - but revealed he does not know quite where his immediate future lies.
"I feel l am a big part of this team," he said.
"After every race l am in the factory, debriefing, engineering and working with the aerodynamicists closely.
"I feel l am moving the car in a good direction. I am enjoying it. That part of the job is really enjoyable at the moment. We are not winning, we are not on the podium so you have to look at other areas that excite you and they do."
Responding to Williams' comment, Button said: "We would all like someone to say that about us, so that was very nice of her.
"I don't know what l am doing next year. I want to be enjoying myself again and be in a position whether l can fight for good results, whether it's a building year, a podium year or a winning year. That's what l need."
Source: PA
