From GMM

In the wake of Honda's shock withdrawal from formula one, contracted driver Jenson Button says he will contemplate any offers to race elsewhere in 2009.

Following the Honda news, it emerged that the 28-year-old Briton recently penned a new Honda deal, that will according to the marque's president Takeo Fukui now be "undone" at Button's request.

"If Jenson gets an opportunity we will sit down and see what the situation here is and what opportunity he has got," Honda team boss Ross Brawn is quoted as saying by The News of the World.

Honda is seeking a buyer for the Brackley based team prior to the 2009 season.

Brawn added: "If we can keep him here we will be delighted but we also understand that it is very difficult for an F1 driver to miss a season -- unlike engineers."

Although embroiled in contractual wrangling in the past, Button has remained loyal to Honda for several years now, but said his overriding goal is to race.

"I want to race in F1," he told the Daily Express. "I am happy to listen to anybody who will give me the opportunity to do so ... whatever the cost."

It is suggested that Button's best options for 2009 are remaining at a re-badged Honda team, or switching to Red Bull's second F1 outfit, Toro Rosso.

A STR source told the News of the World that Button "would not need to do an audition" should he be interested in a switch, but the official message from the team is different.

According to a Red Bull statement carried by the news agency AFP, Honda's withdrawal "will have no impact on the choice of Toro Rosso's pilots".