Button not retiring but may not race on either

Formula One - F1 - Italian Grand Prix 2016 - Monza, Italy - 01/9/16 - McLaren's Jenson Button of Britain smiles during the news conference. REUTERS/Max Rossi

MONZA, Italy (Reuters) - McLaren boss Ron Dennis was at pains to point out on Saturday that Jenson Button was not retiring from Formula One at the end of the season but there are no guarantees the 2009 champion will race again either.

"Forget the word 'retirement'," Dennis said of the 36-year-old Briton after Button had outlined plans at the Italian Grand Prix to step back next year and become a team 'ambassador' rather than race driver.