Jenson Button historic racing ambitions have taken center stage as the 2009 Formula 1 world champion announced he will leave the World Endurance Championship (WEC) after the 2025 season. Button, known for his innovative spirit and recent involvement with Jota in the Hypercar class, also plans a factory drive for Cadillac before his exit, signaling a bold shift that excludes any one-off returns to the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours event.
Replacing Le Mans with a New Passion
Button’s announcement has stirred emotions within the motorsport community, as fans come to terms with the end of an era. He made it clear that regularly participating is crucial for endurance racing, making sporadic appearances at signature races like Le Mans unfeasible at this stage of his career.
“If you want to race in endurance you have got to be in it the whole time,”
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion. His intense involvement with the Hypercar class also meant continuously adapting to evolving technology and intricate car systems.
“Every time I get in the car, there is something different and new to learn,”
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion. With age, the learning curve has become steeper for Button, who acknowledges the additional challenges faced compared to his twenties.
“It definitely takes you longer than when you are in your 20s,”
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion.
Historic Racing Takes the Spotlight
Despite saying goodbye to his seat at Jota, Button is not retiring from competition. Instead, his focus is shifting to historic racing, ignited by a growing affinity for vintage vehicles and a desire to race purely for the thrill.
“I will be racing for fun,”
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion. Classic cars and heritage events now beckon, spurred in part by his personal connection to automotive history.
“I love historics for some reason; it’s my age obviously,”
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion.
His growing fleet includes recent additions like a Jaguar E-type, which joins other iconic cars such as a C-type once owned by the celebrated Argentine champion Juan Manuel Fangio, and an Alfa Romeo GT Junior. Button’s talent and passion for classic competition were on full display at the Goodwood Revival, where he secured victory in the historic RAC TT Celebration, racing alongside friend and co-driver Alex Buncombe.
Possible NASCAR Return Remains in Sight
Button’s chapter with modern endurance racing may be ending, but he has not entirely ruled out a return to the track outside historic events. The British driver’s brief appearance at the 2023 NASCAR Cup with Rick Ware Racing remains a memorable experience that could foreshadow a comeback.
“NASCAR is very different [from Hypercar], because it is very mechanical,”
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion. The straightforward nature of stock cars appeals to Button, hinting that a future run is a real possibility.
“I could probably do that because I could jump in and feel what the car is doing,”
Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion.
Legacy of a Champion and the Road Ahead
As Jenson Button embarks on this next phase, the global fanbase—spanning from casual motorsport enthusiasts to those who cherish racing icons like Juan Manuel Fangio—waits eagerly for his continued adventures. Button’s shift from Hypercar racing with Jota and Cadillac to a world of historic challenges and vintage machinery, along with the possibility of a future NASCAR entry, ensures his journey remains captivating for both old and new fans. The remarkable progression of his racing story stands as a testament to enduring passion, adaptability, and the thrill that comes with embracing new horizons.
