Jenson Button has shared when he decided to retire from racing. The 2009 Formula 1 world champion officially ended his competitive motorsport career following the final race of the World Endurance Championship in Bahrain earlier this month.
The 45-year-old British driver stepped away from F1 in 2017 and finished 16th in his last race—the Bahrain 8 Hours—driving a Cadillac. Over his 17-year Formula 1 career, Button raced for teams such as Williams, BAR, Brawn GP, and McLaren, and also competed in other racing categories like Le Mans, Supercars, Extreme E, and Rallycross.
Speaking ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he now works part-time as a commentator for Sky Sports F1, Button explained his retirement decision. “When I left F1, I wanted to explore other forms of racing while still being competitive,” he said. “During the coronavirus pandemic, I considered returning to full-time racing. After a year off, I spent two wonderful years with the Jota team, which felt like family and was very meaningful to me.”
On why the timing felt right to retire permanently, he noted, “There are incredibly talented young drivers emerging, and each new generation brings fresh challenges. I didn’t have enough time to properly prepare, so I knew it was the right moment to step away.”
Button, who is currently a Williams F1 team ambassador, also expressed hope that one of his children might follow him into racing. “If my son or daughter starts karting, that will probably be even more emotional for me than winning a world championship,” he said. “It would be amazing to see them aspire to reach the top, though I’m not sure if that will happen.”
There is speculation that Button might soon take on a full-time role in broadcasting.
Fan Take: Jenson Button’s retirement marks the end of an era for a truly versatile and respected racer. His transition to broadcasting and nurturing new talent promises to keep his passion for the sport alive, benefiting racing fans and the sport’s future alike.
