“We want to win races and we would always hope that the best available drivers would wish to drive our cars. The key word is ‘available’ because people have contracts and we respect those contracts, but if Lewis was in a position to drive for us next year, as with many of the other top drivers if they were in that position, we’d love to have them on board. No one should ever feel threatened, either drivers or engineers, all we want to do is win and we have to take considered positions and considered decisions on that process.”

But Dennis hinted that the decision will only fall in Button’s favour if he improves his performance – despite having a car that not nearly matches those of the front runners. At the same time, the McLaren boss seems impressed with rookie Kevin Magnussen.

“I’m sure Kevin is giving a big wake-up call to Jenson,” Dennis told Britain’s Sky. “In some ways you say ‘Great, we made a great choice with Kevin’, and in other ways you say ‘Come on Jenson, you are a world champion and absolutely one thing you can do on a consistent basis – and you should be doing it – is beating your team mate’.

“Do I want him (Button) to try harder? Of course I do,” Dennis insisted. “He’s a highly paid grand prix driver, and yes, we’re not giving him the best car, but he could do his bit, and Kevin’s got to make it as difficult for him as possible.”