F1 champion Button says return of team orders could lead him to make early exit from sport

MONZA, Italy – The return of team orders could see world champion Jenson Button exit Formula One prematurely.

Button was quoted Saturday by British media at the Italian Grand Prix as saying he could quit the sport over a decision by the ruling FIA to reinstate the banned regulation.

"I wouldn't quit straight away but it would definitely shorten my career," the 30-year-old Briton said. "While you are still fighting for the world championship it is very strange to me that a driver is told to move over. I don't understand that at all and I don't understand anyone in the sport who would want to race in those circumstances."

The governing body said Wednesday it would review the regulation after Ferrari used coded messages at the German GP to have Felipe Massa give way to teammate Fernando Alonso in the 1-2 finish. Ferrari escaped with a $100,000 fine.

Button trails McLaren teammate and overall F1 leader Lewis Hamilton by 35 points with six races left.

"I don't think it will be the same as what it is now," Button said of racing with team orders. "We have some great action between teammates — it's great to have 24 guys fighting it and not 12."