Lewis Hamilton has called on old friend Ron Dennis to do the "smart" thing and retain "star quality" driver Jenson Button.

Button heads into Formula One's off-season still unsure whether his 15-year career in the sport is over or if he will be handed a new contract by McLaren.

McLaren Group CEO Dennis has confirmed the situation will not be resolved until after a board meeting early next month.

It leaves 34-year-old Button and team-mate Kevin Magnussen in limbo until Dennis and his fellow shareholders deliberate over who should partner the returning Fernando Alonso from next season.

Hamilton, fresh from clinching his second F1 title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, is in no doubt former team-mate Button should be snapped up by Dennis.

Hamilton said: "Jenson's been in Formula One for a long time, he's had an exceptional career, and he's still young.

"On Sunday he drove incredibly well to bring a McLaren up to fifth, and with a great driver (Magnussen) alongside him who wasn't able to do the same with the same car.

"But he (Button) has proven time and again he is still a worthy competitor and a valuable asset for any team to have.

"I've known Ron for a long, long time and he is passionate about racing.

"I'm sure he'll make the smart decision, and for me, building a team to target being champions you need to have star quality drivers.

"There are only a handful of those and Jenson's one of them."