Jenson Button flattered at calls to be new Top Gear host… but wants to concentrate on Formula One
British driver inundated with fans asking for to replace Chris Evans and show and he admits it is an option for the future
Jenson Button says he is flattered by calls for him to be installed as a the new presenter of TV show Top Gear.
The Brit has received a swell of support on social media urging BBC bosses to snap up the F1 star as a replacement for Chris Evans.
The new series achieved its lowest viewing figures in 10 years while The Sun revealed canned laughter was used to plug awkward silences in the audience.
Button, 36, says he IS interested in presenting a car TV show — but wants to concentrate on his racing first.
When quizzed by SunSport about the support on Twitter, Button said: "It is always nice to read when you are wanted.
"It was always going to be difficult for anyone to come in after those three [presenters] left . They were going to be judged, whether it was good or not.
"Hopefully after a few shows people will get into it, because I enjoyed it. I like the format. It is similar in a few ways and in other ways it was different."
He added: "I don't know what I am doing in the future and whether Top Gear would be an option anyway.
"But I would be interested in doing some TV.
"I am lucky because I am in a position where I can choose what I do in the future and I want to choose something fun and I enjoy doing.
"I think a car show would be interesting and doing some commentary would be interesting. But I will also be racing in Formula One or something else.
"There are many things I want to do, I just want to make sure I am doing something I really enjoy and I have fun with.
"There has to be a good understanding between the producers and the talent to get the best out of you and there will definitely be more viewing figures because of it."
Related Stories
Button returns to Montreal this weekend, the scene of his most exciting race in F1, a four-hour epic where he went from last to first place in 2011.
And with more unsettled weather predicted for this weekend's Canadian GP, the 2009 world champion is eyeing another solid performance.
He said: "It was the most exciting race of my career. It was absolutely mental. There is so much I cannot remember.
"And it is supposed to rain again on Sunday. In the dry, it will be fun but if it is wet, it could be a mega race. Hopefully another 2011, although I don't want to be last!
"It will be very tricky for a lot of us and a lot of how competitive you are will depend on how good your tyre technician is.
"I don't think we are going to be too bad here. We are not going to set the world alight, but we can challenge for points."