Button says decision not to race in F1 in 2017 was made too early

The 36-year-old chose to step down from a race seat in 2017 during the August break, with a public announcement made at the Italian Grand Prix in September.

Since the August break, Button's form has been patchy and while there have been strong qualifying performances at Spa and Sepang, he has only scored points twice in eight races compared to team-mate Fernando Alonso's five and has been eliminated in Q1 three times.

"I still feel August is quite early, personally," said Button when asked about the timing of his announcement.

"When a driver decides he is going to leave or retire from the sport, you should try and do it as late as possible.

"I did it way too early. I think the mindset definitely changes, which is a shame.

"I didn't think it would, but it definitely does."

Button will start his 305th grand prix, and possibly his last if he does not return to a race seat in 2018, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

He stressed that he does not see this as the last race before retirement, stressing that he intends to keep racing until he's 70.

"Tomorrow is a big day, but I don't go into the last race saying 'I can't wait until it's over'.

"I go into the last race excited, knowing that I'm going to have a great race and I will give it my all as I do every grand prix.

"I'm definitely not retiring. I'll be working here with the team next year, I'll be racing in other things and in the future I will be driving until I'm 70-odd years old.

"I'm not retiring until then - it's just whether I get paid to do it or not, that's the only difference."

Button also said that he's more concerned about enjoying the race than his result.

"That's what I'm looking forward to, a good race [but] to be fair it doesn't matter where I finish.

"It's more about the fight and having fun out there."