Jenson Button

Jenson Button
Born	(1980-01-19) January 19, 1980 Frome, Somerset, England
Occupation	Racing driver
Years active	2000–2016 (Formula One)
Known for	2009 Formula One World Drivers' Champion

Jenson Alexander Lyons Button (born 19 January 1980) is a British racing driver currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Jota. His Formula One career spanned from to , during which he secured the World Drivers' Championship title in while driving for Brawn, and amassed 15 victories in Grand Prix events across 18 seasons.

Starting karting at the age of eight, Button advanced through the ranks by competing in the British Formula Ford Championship and British Formula 3. He made his F1 debut with Williams in 2000 before transferring to Benetton, which transitioned to Renault in 2002. In 2003, he moved to BAR, achieving third place in the 2004 World Drivers' Championship but falling back to ninth in 2005. When BAR became the Honda team in 2006, Button earned his inaugural Grand Prix victory at the , after participating in 113 races.

Following Honda's exit from Formula One at the end of 2008, Button found himself without a seat for the 2009 season until Ross Brawn acquired the team and established Brawn GP, which signed him. That year, Button won six of the opening seven races, ultimately capturing the World Drivers' Championship at the Grand Prix and contributing to Brawn GP's triumph in the World Constructors' Championship.

In 2010, Button joined McLaren, partnering with Lewis Hamilton. He concluded the season fifth overall, improved to runner-up in 2011, and returned to fifth place in 2012. Despite spending an additional four years with McLaren, he did not secure any further wins and retired from Formula One at the close of 2016, briefly coming back for the race as a replacement for Fernando Alonso. Over his career spanning 306 starts, Button achieved 15 victories, eight pole positions, stood on the podium 50 times, and accumulated a total of 1,235 championship points.

After leaving F1, Button claimed the 2018 Super GT championship driving a Honda for Team Kunimitsu, alongside teammate Naoki Yamamoto. He also participated part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, piloting the No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing, with support from Stewart–Haas Racing and sponsorship from Mobil 1.

Early life and education

Born on 19 January 1980 in Frome, Somerset, Button grew up in nearby Vobster, Mells. He is the fourth child of Simone Lyons—who has South African heritage—and John Button, a former rallycross competitor from London's East End known during the 1970s for racing a Volkswagen Type 1 dubbed the Colorado Beetle. His parents first met in Newquay and reunited following a concert at Longleat. John chose the name Jenson inspired by his Danish friend Erling Jensen but altered its spelling to avoid links with Jensen Motors; Simone favored this "mannish" variation influenced by a Jensen sports car.

From an early age, Button showed enthusiasm for racing, beginning with BMX biking and watching Formula One alongside his father around five or six years old. He admired four-time world champion Alain Prost for his composed and intellectual approach behind the wheel. After his parents divorced when he was seven, Button and his three older sisters were raised by their mother in Frome. He attended Vallis First School, Selwood Middle School, and Frome Community College. Due to his karting commitments limiting his academic focus, he obtained only one GCSE qualification. Notably, he failed his initial driving test after attempting to drive between two parked cars on a narrow street.

Karting career

At the age of seven, Button received a 50cc motorcycle from his father, but he soon transitioned to karting following a recommendation from rallycross competitor Keith Ripp, who suggested a Zip go-kart suitable for the Cadets category. Beginning competitive karting at eight years old, Button's father supported his ambitions by selling personal belongings and establishing a shop to fund his racing pursuits.

Button honed his skills by practicing on slick tyres during wet conditions to enhance vehicle control, securing victory at the British Super Prix by age nine. By 1991, he was dominating the British Cadet Kart Championship with 34 wins, clearly targeting a path toward Formula One. Under the mentorship of mechanic Dave Spencer, Button made an assertive move into the Juniors division, concentrating on mastering tyre preservation and refining his driving abilities.

Although 1992 presented difficulties, Button persevered with Spencer's guidance and modifications to his fitness program. His progress continued as he claimed three British Open Kart Championship titles. In 1994, tragedy struck when his younger brother Danny died in a karting accident; nevertheless, Button managed to finish fourth in the RAC British Junior Championship and competed professionally in both European and Italian Junior Intercontinental A series.

At just 15 years old, Button became the youngest runner-up in the Formula A World Championship. Racing for Team GKS with Tecno-Rotax machinery, he achieved fifth place in the 1996 European Formula A Championship and secured third positions in both the Formula A World Cup and American Championship. The following year, he stepped up to Formula Super A, capturing second place in the Japanese World Cup’s Ayrton Senna Memorial Cup and becoming the youngest—and first British—driver to win the European Super A Championship. Additionally, he was runner-up in the Winter Cup leading up to that success.

Junior car career

At eighteen, Button made the leap into single-seater car racing after his mentor Paul Lemmens introduced him to racing manager Harald Huysman. Sponsorship was arranged by businessman David Robertson alongside Huysman, who financed Button’s career in return for 35% of his future earnings. Robertson organized a test with Carlin Motorsport’s Dallara F3 Mugen-Honda vehicle; however, due to limited experience, Button chose to begin in Formula Ford during 1998.

Driving a Haywood Racing Mygale SJ98, he won the British Formula Ford Championship with nine victories and also triumphed at the season-ending Formula Ford Festival held at Brands Hatch. In addition, he finished second overall in the European Formula Ford Championship, winning one of four races.

In late 1998, Button received the Autosport BRDC Award, which included an opportunity to test a McLaren MP4/14 Formula One car in November 1999. Huysman and Robertson pursued an F3 seat for him and secured a drive with Promatecme team owner Serge Saulnier after a successful test at Magny-Cours. Saulnier provided coaching focused on managing F3 downforce characteristics.

During 1999, Button competed in the British Formula 3 International Series piloting a Renault-Dallara F399 chassis that was somewhat less powerful than competing cars. Guided by trainer Josef Leberer, he won three races at Thruxton, Pembrey, and Silverstone circuits and finished third overall as the highest-placed rookie. He also placed fifth at the Marlboro Masters event and narrowly missed winning the Macau Grand Prix by just 0.035 seconds.

Choosing not to continue further seasons in F3, Button tested Formula 3000 vehicles with Super Nova Racing and Fortec Motorsport at Jerez. He found the sequential gearbox required an aggressive driving style and considered these cars heavy, influencing his strategic decision to target higher racing categories moving forward.

Williams (2000)

In November 1999, Button caught the attention of McLaren's owner, Ron Dennis, during a Silverstone test session in the MP4/13. He also underwent a trial with Prost Grand Prix after Alain Prost recognized his talent and offered him a test driver role, which Button declined due to uncertainty about securing a future race seat. Despite offers from McLaren and Jaguar, his management chose to turn them down.

A vacancy at Williams arose following the departure of two-time CART champion Alex Zanardi. Button competed against contenders such as Jörg Müller and Darren Manning for the position. On 24 December 1999, Williams founder Frank Williams extended an offer to Button, which initially seemed unbelievable to him. After further discussions and a head-to-head evaluation against Bruno Junqueira in a modified FW21B powered by BMW, Button clinched the seat despite some engineers favoring Junqueira. This appointment made him the youngest British driver in Formula One history, overtaking Stirling Moss. The FIA mandated extensive testing before granting his super licence, which was eventually approved.

To prepare for the physical demands of F1, Button collaborated with a physiotherapist to enhance his strength. He scored points in only his second race at the 2000 Brazilian Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver at that time to do so. Within his first six races, he qualified ahead of teammate Ralf Schumacher twice and maintained competitive lap times. However, Williams viewed Button as a temporary solution until they secured Juan Pablo Montoya from Chip Ganassi Racing. Montoya's achievements, including winning the 2000 Indianapolis 500, resulted in Button being replaced mid-season but retained under contract by Williams for potential recall in 2003. Subsequently, Button was loaned to Benetton on a two-year deal.

His highest qualifying spot in 2000 was third at Spa-Francorchamps, while his best race result was fourth place in Germany. Despite some mistakes attributed to inexperience—most notably crashing behind the safety car at Monza—Button finished his rookie year eighth in the championship with 12 points.

Benetton (2001)

In , Button joined Benetton alongside Giancarlo Fisichella; the team had recently been acquired by Renault. The car suffered from lack of power steering, insufficient engine power, and limited pre-season testing, leading to uncompetitive performances. Button was frequently outpaced by Fisichella and ended the season 17th in the Drivers' Championship with two points; his best finish was fifth at the Grand Prix.

Speculation about his potential replacement arose due to these struggles. Team principal Flavio Briatore issued an ultimatum that Button needed to demonstrate improvement or risk losing his seat among top drivers and reportedly offered him an exit route. Briatore attributed Button’s difficulties to his lack of experience and challenges in providing effective car setup feedback. Additionally, media outlets branded Button as a "playboy" because of his extravagant off-track lifestyle.

Renault (2002)

During , Benetton transitioned into Renault with Jarno Trulli joining as Button’s teammate. To enhance his public image, Button modified his lifestyle by dedicating himself more fully to fitness and aligning with John Byfield's management following discussions with Briatore. In late 2001, Briatore invited him to train at a Kenyan ranch to address shoulder and back issues that had hindered his previous season. He collaborated closely with engineers and entered the year feeling "very confident."

At the second round, Button was on course for his maiden podium finish before suffering rear suspension failure that relegated him to fourth place. His performance improved significantly thanks to new features such as power steering and launch control. Although often outqualified by Trulli, Button displayed superior race pace and accumulated more points than his teammate. Nevertheless, Briatore informed him that test driver Fernando Alonso would replace him for 2003—a decision met with criticism—and referred to Button as a "lazy playboy."

In July, Button secured a two-year contract with British American Racing (BAR), including an option for an additional two years, replacing Olivier Panis and partnering with 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve. A critical factor influencing this move was the chance to collaborate with BAR team principal David Richards and embrace the team's long-term vision. He completed the season seventh overall with 14 points.

2003

At the outset of 2003, Button encountered early difficulties with teammate Villeneuve, who openly dismissed him and caused confusion during pit stops at the Australian Grand Prix. Nonetheless, Button accumulated eight points within the opening six rounds, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in Austria. Their dynamic improved as Button’s results became more consistent. A high-speed accident during Monaco qualifying forced Button to miss that race, but he made a comeback in Montreal. By outperforming Villeneuve on track, Button restored his standing. After Villeneuve was dropped before the season finale, Button joined forces with Takuma Sato and concluded the year ninth in the Drivers' Championship with 17 points.

2004

In 2004, Button assumed the role of BAR’s lead driver, focusing on steady point finishes and podium placements. He earned his initial podiums in Malaysia and Bahrain, followed by his first pole position and a runner-up spot at Imola. Finishing on the podium ten times across eighteen races, he secured third place in the Drivers' Championship and played a key role in BAR’s second-place finish in the Constructors' standings.

During August, Button inked a two-year deal with Williams, attracted by their collaboration with BMW and prospects for championship contention despite BAR’s stronger current form. BAR contested this move, asserting contractual rights to retain him. The disagreement was taken to Formula One’s Contract Recognition Board, which ruled in BAR’s favor by October, compelling Button to remain with them. In response to this dispute, Button changed his management team by appointing Richard Goodard and reorganizing his support structure to better reflect his career ambitions.

2005

Although internal tensions persisted, Button affirmed that he had full backing from BAR and remained hopeful for the upcoming season. However, changes to aerodynamic regulations negatively impacted his car’s competitiveness. He was disqualified from a third-place finish after scrutineers discovered an illegal secondary fuel tank, leading to a two-race suspension for both himself and the team. Upon returning, Button achieved his second career pole position at Montreal but crashed while running third. He ended the campaign ninth overall with 37 points, including two third-place podiums in Germany and Belgium.

Once again, Button found himself embroiled in contract disputes between BAR and Williams. Despite having signed a pre-contract with Williams for 2006, he felt BAR offered better chances for his maiden Grand Prix victory and viewed the Williams agreement as non-binding. Frank Williams maintained that the contract was valid and that Button was obligated to fulfill sponsor commitments. Eventually, Williams agreed to release Button in exchange for an estimated £18 million compensation package.

2006

Following Honda’s acquisition of BAR ahead of the 2006 season, the team was rebranded as Honda Racing F1 Team. Button was paired with seasoned driver Rubens Barrichello. Honda granted both drivers equal status within the team structure. Benefiting from Honda’s increased investment and resources, Button expressed confidence in the car’s capabilities. He aimed to leverage his accumulating experience into tangible results supported by Honda’s ongoing development of chassis and power unit.

Button scored points in five of the first eleven events, including a third-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix and securing pole position at the Canadian Grand Prix. His inaugural race victory arrived at a rain-affected Hungarian Grand Prix after starting from fourteenth on the grid—marking his 113th start in Formula One. He consistently finished between fourth and fifth place over the subsequent five races and closed out the season with a podium in Brazil. In total, he amassed 35 points across the final six rounds—the highest tally among all drivers during that period.

2007

During the 2007 season, Button continued to race for Honda, partnering with Barrichello once more, although he missed the pre-season testing sessions due to rib injuries sustained in a karting accident. The Honda RA107 struggled with aerodynamic difficulties following the appointment of Shuhei Nakamoto as Senior Technical Director, succeeding Geoff Willis. Compared to his 2006 performance, Button experienced a downturn, frequently qualifying outside the top ten and finishing around the midfield. Over the course of the year, he accumulated six points, achieving his best result with a fifth-place finish in a rain-affected race.

2008

Button stayed with Honda for the 2008 campaign, again alongside Barrichello. Prior to the season start, he prepared by training in Lanzarote and collaborating with human performance coach Michael Collier. Despite optimism stemming from technical director Ross Brawn’s promotion to team principal, the Honda RA108 proved uncompetitive. Button managed only three points throughout the year, with his highest placement being sixth at one event.

On 4 December 2008, the global financial crisis compelled Honda to exit Formula One, casting doubt over Button’s future for 2009 as the team awaited a potential sale. He turned down an offer from Red Bull’s junior squad, Scuderia Toro Rosso, unwilling to accept a less competitive car and sponsorship obligations.

Brawn GP (2009)

In March 2009, Ross Brawn purchased the Honda outfit for a nominal amount and rebranded it as Brawn GP. Button agreed to continue driving for the newly formed team despite taking a salary reduction. Initially viewed by bookmakers as a long shot with odds of 100–1, the Brawn BGP 001 featured an effective aerodynamic design, a robust Mercedes-Benz V8 engine, and high-grip slick tyres. The car was also configured to suit Button’s driving preferences.

Button dominated early in the season by winning six of the first seven races and securing four pole positions. This success was largely attributed to Brawn’s innovative double diffuser design, which provided a speed advantage also exploited by teams such as Toyota and Williams. However, after rival teams adopted similar diffuser designs, Button’s performance stabilized; over the following ten races he averaged sixth place and collected 35 points compared to his earlier haul of 61. This decline was partially due to limited development funding—only about 10% of the £7 million budget—and his smooth driving style impacting tyre wear in cooler conditions.

At one event, poor tyre selections during wet qualifying relegated him to 14th on the grid. Nevertheless, by finishing fifth in that race, Button secured the World Championship title with one round remaining. Having made 169 race starts before clinching the championship, he ranked second for most starts before becoming World Champion, behind only Nigel Mansell.

In the season’s final race at Abu Dhabi, Button qualified behind teammate Barrichello but managed to finish third on the podium.

Following the conclusion of the season, Brawn and team principal Nick Fry aimed to renew Button’s contract alongside new teammate Nico Rosberg. Button sought clear assurances regarding development plans for the 2010 car and competitive prospects. Upon learning that Mercedes intended to acquire Brawn GP without confirmed sponsorship backing, he communicated to his manager Richard Goodard a desire for fresh challenges beyond the current setup.

McLaren (2010–2017)

Goodard reached out to McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh regarding a potential seat for Button. Although Whitmarsh was initially skeptical about Button leaving Brawn GP, the opportunity to join a more competitive team and partner with 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton attracted Button. After negotiations at McLaren’s headquarters in Woking, Button agreed to a three-year contract. He expressed motivation derived from racing alongside Hamilton, while Whitmarsh cautioned that he would closely observe their working relationship.

2010

Button secured victories at the and Grands Prix under difficult weather conditions, briefly taking the lead in the Drivers' Championship. A misunderstanding during the Turkish Grand Prix escalated tensions with Hamilton, who believed McLaren was prioritizing Button. Despite this, Button achieved two additional podium finishes and consistently scored points, remaining in championship contention. After retiring in Belgium following contact with Vettel, he finished second at Monza and then recorded two fourth-place results in Singapore and Japan. During the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, Button encountered security threats after qualifying but was unharmed. His fifth-place finish in Brazil mathematically ended his title hopes; he concluded the season fifth in the standings after a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi.

2011

The MP4-26 designed for Button’s 2011 campaign was customized to accommodate his taller stature, based on feedback within the team from late 2010. He anticipated that the new Pirelli tyres would complement his smooth driving technique and viewed winning a world championship as a significant incentive to continue competing in Formula 1. Throughout the first six races, Button never finished below sixth place and earned three podiums. He triumphed at the rain-soaked , overcoming two collisions and overtaking Vettel on the final lap. Additional victories at the and Grands Prix contributed to a total of three wins and twelve podiums, resulting in runner-up status with 270 points, although Vettel secured the championship in Japan.

2012

McLaren CEO Whitmarsh aimed to extend Button’s tenure by three years while Button considered a possible move to Ferrari for 2013. Prior to the Japanese Grand Prix in 2011, Button committed to a three-year contract renewal with McLaren, despite reports of an £85 million deal which he personally denied. The MP4-27 capitalized on a regulatory loophole that prohibited exhaust-blown diffusers, which aligned well with Button’s driving style. He won the opening Grand Prix of the season and achieved second-place finishes in China and Germany early on. Nevertheless, his performance waned due to challenges managing temperature and grip with Pirelli’s short-lived front tyres, further complicated by several brake material changes. Button adapted by modifying car setup and altering his driving approach to better preserve tyre temperature. Subsequent victories in Belgium and Brazil, along with consistent top-five results, secured him fifth place overall with 188 points.

2013

In 2013, Button's teammate at McLaren was Sergio Pérez, a graduate of the Ferrari Driver Academy, whose late signing contributed to a somewhat distant dynamic between them. That March, Button was appointed as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). Instead of modifying the previous model, McLaren designed the MP4-28 entirely anew to meet 2014 regulations. Unfortunately, this resulted in a vehicle afflicted by significant understeer, reduced downforce, and rapid tyre wear. After placing ninth in the opening race, McLaren attempted to improve performance by integrating parts from the MP4-27, but this yielded little progress. Button's top finish came with a fourth place at the season finale, concluding the year ninth in the championship with 73 points. Early in the season, aggressive on-track incidents involving Pérez led to tensions between the two drivers.

2014–2015

Button extended his contract with McLaren for the 2014 season but contemplated taking a break following his father’s unexpected passing in January. He developed a strong working relationship with his new teammate Kevin Magnussen, although their car, the MP4-29, suffered from persistent understeer and instability issues. Button achieved his final career podium by finishing third at the Australian Grand Prix after a competitor was disqualified and maintained consistent points finishes throughout the year, ending eighth in the Drivers' Championship with 126 points. He outqualified Magnussen on ten occasions and accumulated twice as many points as his teammate.

By 2015, Button’s motivation had diminished amid speculation about his future, fueled by rumors of Fernando Alonso joining McLaren alongside Magnussen. Despite wanting to remain with the team, he felt uncertain about his career trajectory but concentrated on delivering strong performances. Team shareholder Mansour Ojjeh advocated for Button’s retention over Magnussen, resulting in Button renewing his contract in December on reduced pay with an option for an additional year. The agreement included provisions allowing either party to terminate it after 2015 due to performance concerns. Throughout 2015, Button struggled with an unreliable and underpowered Honda engine that lacked straight-line speed, managing four top-ten finishes and a best result of sixth at the , ultimately finishing 16th in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points.

2016–2017

McLaren retained Button for following negotiations with Ron Dennis and meetings at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC), awarding him a 50% salary increase. Although he considered a return to Williams, he chose to stay with McLaren. The upgraded Honda power unit delivered improved performance that allowed points-scoring finishes; however, reliability problems remained evident. Button completed 15 out of 21 races and qualified third at the —the highest grid position achieved by McLaren-Honda—finishing sixth in that event. His subsequent best results were eighth-place finishes. The season concluded with a suspension failure at the , placing him 15th in the Drivers' Championship with 21 points and outperforming teammate Alonso in multiple races and qualifying rounds.

Prior to the , Button informed Dennis of his decision to retire at season’s end. Dennis proposed instead that he take a sabbatical and assigned him as McLaren ambassador to contribute in simulator development, represent sponsors, and assist with car progress. Button served as McLaren’s reserve driver for 2017, retaining an option for a full-time return in . He was succeeded as GPDA director by Romain Grosjean. In April 2017, following Boullier’s request, Button agreed to replace Alonso at the Monaco Grand Prix due to contractual obligations; he prepared through simulator sessions rather than on-track testing. Unfortunately, he retired late in the race after sustaining damage from a collision.

In November 2017, McLaren announced that Lando Norris, champion of the 2017 FIA Formula Three European series, would succeed Button as reserve driver for 2018. With his contract not renewed, Button shifted focus towards other racing opportunities. Eric Boullier commended his valuable contributions to McLaren during this period.

Williams senior advisor (2021)

In January 2021, Button returned to Williams in the capacity of a senior advisor under a multi-year agreement. His role involved supporting the race drivers and participants in the Williams Academy both on the circuit and at the team's base, as well as undertaking ambassadorial responsibilities. Although his involvement was intended to be comprehensive across the organization, he was restricted from entering Williams' facilities due to US-imposed travel limitations. Additionally, COVID-19 safety measures confined his engagement with the team since he remained within the Sky Sports broadcast environment.

Super GT career

Button's fascination with Super GT began around 2011, culminating in his debut at the 2017 Suzuka 1000km driving for Team Mugen in a Honda NSX-GT, alongside teammates Hideki Mutoh and Daisuke Nakajima. Despite encountering penalties and tyre punctures, their team secured a 12th-place finish. He also explored a potential move to Team Penske's IMSA SportsCar Championship squad but was ultimately not selected.

In 2018, Button competed full-time in the 2018 Super GT Series, representing Team Kunimitsu in the No. 100 GT500-class Honda NSX-GT alongside Naoki Yamamoto. Favoring a car equipped with Bridgestone tyres and benefiting from Yamamoto’s English proficiency, Button adapted well to both the series and its culture. Together, they achieved victory at Sportsland Sugo and two runner-up finishes, entering the final round tied on points with their TOM'S rivals. Button successfully defended against competitors to claim the GT500 championship by a three-point margin, becoming the first rookie to win since 2005.

For the 2019 campaign, Button continued with Team Kunimitsu and Yamamoto in the renumbered No. 1 Honda. The season presented challenges such as a collision at Okayama, an ill-timed safety car deployment at Fuji, and an unfortunate tyre selection at Sugo that cost them potential wins. Nonetheless, they earned two podiums during Fuji rounds and finished sixth at Motegi, concluding eighth in the GT500 Drivers' Championship with 37 points. In October 2019, Button participated as Honda’s wildcard entrant in the final two rounds of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) at Hockenheimring, finishing ninth and sixteenth respectively. Due to contractual restrictions, he did not take part in the "Super GT × DTM Dream Race" and departed Super GT after 2019 to reduce frequent trans-Pacific travel and explore other racing avenues.

Sports car career

Button’s endurance racing debut occurred at the 1999 24 Hours of Spa, where he shared a BMW Team Raffanelli 320i E46 in the SP class but retired after completing 22 laps because of fuel tank failure. He later returned for the 2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), piloting a BR Engineering BR1 LMP1 vehicle for SMP Racing alongside Vitaly Petrov and Mikhail Aleshin. Due to commitments in Super GT, Button missed the season opener. His WEC debut at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans ended prematurely when engine failure forced retirement while he was driving. He recorded fourth place at the 6 Hours of Fuji and third at Shanghai's six-hour event. In 2019, personal reasons and Super GT obligations caused him to miss multiple races including Le Mans, with substitutes stepping in on his behalf. He exited WEC after observing diminishing manufacturer involvement in LMP1 and awaited upcoming regulation changes.

Button made his British GT Championship debut during its final round in 2020, co-driving a McLaren 720S GT3 with team co-owner Chris Buncombe and finishing 14th. In 2023, he competed in the NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 entry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Mike Rockenfeller and Jimmie Johnson; they completed 285 laps but ended up 39th overall due to drivetrain complications. Later that year, he joined JDC–Miller MotorSports’ Porsche 963 for Petit Le Mans, securing fifth place.

For the 2024 edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona, Button partnered with Wayne Taylor Racing driving Andretti’s No. 40 Acura ARX-06 GTP car, achieving third place overall. He returned to WEC competition in 2024 with Team Jota’s No. 38 Porsche 963 alongside Phil Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen, concentrating on a single series after deciding to retire from full-time racing following that year. Initially trailing his teammates’ pace, Button showed marked improvement by the time of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and concluded the season ranked nineteenth in the World Endurance Drivers' Championship with five points-paying finishes including sixth place at Fuji’s six-hour race.

Continuing into the 2025 WEC season, Button stayed with Jota as they transitioned from Porsche to Cadillac machinery. He shared the No. 38 Cadillac V-Series.R Hypercar with Earl Bamber and Sébastien Bourdais. His teammates supported him in modifying his driving approach to suit the Cadillac LMDh vehicle, which he found more compatible with his driving style preferences.

Additional racing pursuits

Between 2007 and 2017, Button took part in the Race of Champions on six occasions, advancing to the Nations Cup semi-finals alongside Andy Priaulx in both 2007 and 2008, and securing a runner-up position in 2009. His top individual achievement at this event was reaching the semi-final stage in 2009. In 2019, he ventured into off-road racing with Rocket Motorsports, piloting a Brenthel Industries Spec 6100 TT class truck in competitions such as the Baja 1000 and Mint 400, although his outings were marked by limited success and multiple retirements.

During the hiatus in motorsport caused by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Button engaged actively in eSports contests. In January 2021, he launched JBXE, a team competing in the all-electric off-road series Extreme E. Initially serving as a driver, he soon transitioned to team management duties, appointing Kevin Hansen as his replacement behind the wheel. That same year, Button made his historic racing debut at the Goodwood Revival and intended to participate in the all-electric Group E division of the 2022–23 Nitro Rallycross Championship, but withdrew following the first round.

In 2023, Button broadened his motorsport involvement by entering American racing, contesting three NASCAR Cup Series events for Rick Ware Racing driving the No. 15 car. He made his NASCAR debut at the 2023 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix held at Circuit of the Americas, achieving a best finish of 18th place at COTA.

Driving technique

Button is recognized for his fluid and controlled driving approach. Journalist Mark Hughes observed in 2009 that Button possesses an exceptional "sense of how much momentum to carry into corners," allowing him to execute minimal yet precise steering and throttle adjustments.

This smooth style proves advantageous in wet conditions where front-end grip tends to diminish, while also aiding in tyre conservation throughout races. His technique originated during his karting days and was refined for use with higher-powered vehicles. Since 2000, Button has employed left-foot braking as a method to modulate engine power and shorten braking distances. He favors initiating corner entry earlier under braking, carefully balancing pedal pressure with steering input to maintain greater speeds through turns and adapt well to slippery surfaces.

Button exhibits comfort with understeer, preferring a reliable rear grip through corners that supports stable exits. His refined technique minimizes front tyre lock-ups but can occasionally result in insufficient tyre heating on cooler tracks, which may negatively impact qualifying performance due to reduced energy transfer to the tyres. Nevertheless, this style grants him increased reaction time during races, lowering the likelihood of mistakes and enabling him to anticipate evolving conditions without constant input from his team.

While traction control was permitted between 2001 and 2007, Button's precise throttle modulation helped prevent wheelspin, maximizing grip and acceleration when exiting corners.

Driver number

With the introduction of an FIA rule in 2014 allowing drivers to select a permanent car number for their Formula One careers, Button opted for number 22—the same digit he used during his championship-winning season in 2009.

Sponsorships and charitable work

Button has served as a brand ambassador for numerous prominent companies including Head & Shoulders, Hilton, Hugo Boss, Santander, Tag Heuer, Vodafone, Baylis & Harding, Mobil 1, and Hackett London. The combination of these endorsement agreements alongside his Mercedes salary placed him among the highest-paid figures in motorsport according to Forbes between 2012 and 2013. In 2020, he partnered with Dare 2b to launch a men's ski apparel collection.

In early 2021, Button collaborated with car builder Ant Anstead, designer Mark Stubbs, and advisor Roger Behle to revive luxury coach manufacturer Radford. That year also saw him co-found Coachbilt Whiskey—a premium blended Scotch brand—in partnership with whisky expert George Koutsakis.

Established in 2010, The Jenson Button Trust supports various charitable initiatives. He acts as a patron for Make-A-Wish UK and serves as a sports ambassador for both The Prince's Trust and the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Additionally, he supports the Sean Edwards Foundation and participates in Johnnie Walker’s Join The Pact campaign promoting responsible alcohol consumption. In 2014, he launched the Pink for Papa initiative to raise funds for the Henry Surtees Foundation.

Outside of racing activities, Button managed Victus restaurant in Harrogate from 2011 to 2012 and co-founded The Sports Partnership agency in 2012 to provide public relations and management services within sports industries. In late 2018, he co-established Jenson Team Rocket RJN—a sports car racing team. Furthermore, he has contributed as a judge on the UK F1 Drivers' Challenge television program and lent his voice to his character in the animated series Tooned. Since the 2018 British Grand Prix, Button has regularly offered race commentary and analysis for Sky Sports F1.

Public image

Throughout his Formula 1 journey and personal endeavors, Button has attracted diverse media attention, a trend often referred to as "Buttonmania." Before securing the 2009 championship, he was frequently described by critics as "a nearly man" and dismissed as a "pin-up and lightweight" due to his relatively modest achievements. However, this narrative shifted significantly following his title triumph. Ben Anderson of Autosport observes that Button is seldom ranked among F1's top-tier drivers, attributing this to a perceived lack of assertiveness under challenging race conditions. Brad Spurgeon from The New York Times credits Button’s early career for encouraging teams to recruit young talents and evaluate their composure under pressure and media scrutiny. Andrew Benson of BBC Sport characterized him as "urbane and eloquent," highlighting his charisma and sharp wit as ideal qualities for marketing.

In the 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, Button finished second behind football star Ryan Giggs, having been nominated three years prior. His accolades include winning BBC West Country's Sports Personality of the Year and the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year. Additional distinctions encompass the 2000 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Newcomer Award, the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy in 2001, and the Hawthorn Memorial Trophy on five occasions (2004–2006, 2009, 2011). He has also been honoured with Autosport Rookie of the Year (2000), International Racing Driver Award (2004, 2009), British Competition Driver of the Year (2003, 2009, 2011, 2012), BRDC Gold Star (2004, 2009), and was inducted into the FIA Hall of Fame in 2017.

Button was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for his contributions to motorsport. His hometown of Frome commemorated him by naming both a street and a footbridge in his honour and granting him freedom of the town. In 2016, he received an honorary doctorate in engineering from the University of Bath. As an author, Button has published five books chronicling his life and racing career: My Life on The Formula One Rollercoaster (2002), My World (2007), My Championship Year (2009), Life to The Limit (2017), and How to be an F1 Driver (2019).

The story of Button’s 2009 championship season alongside Brawn GP’s remarkable success is depicted in the 2023 Disney+ miniseries Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story.

Personal life

Button enjoys mountain biking, participating in triathlons, and bodyboarding among his leisure activities. Additionally, he maintains a collection of cars. He was previously engaged to English actress and singer Louise Griffiths before their relationship ended in 2005 after five years together. From 2014 until 2015, he was married to Japanese model Jessica Michibata. In 2022, he wed American model Brittny Ward; they have two children—a son and a daughter—and currently live in Los Angeles. Button is a supporter of Bristol City Football Club.

On 3 August 2015, Button and his then-wife Jessica were victims of a burglary at their rented residence in Saint-Tropez. The thieves stole items valued at approximately £300,000, including Jessica’s engagement ring worth £250,000. Reports suggested that the couple may have been rendered unconscious through manipulation of the air-conditioning system before the incident.

Karting career summary

Season	Series	Team	Position
1991	Super 1 National Championship — IAME Cadet	Wright Karts	1st
1992	ABkC ‘O’ Plate — Junior TKM		1st
1994	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — 100cc Junior		16th
	Torneo delle Industrie — 100cc Junior		8th
1995	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — ICA		5th
	World Championship — Senior		2nd
1996	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — Formula A		32nd
	World Cup — Formula A		3rd
	World Championship — Senior		32nd
	WKA North American Championship — Formula A		3rd
1997	Trofeo Andrea Margutti — Formula A		10th
	European Championship – Formula Super A		1st
	World Cup — Formula Super A		27th
	World Championship — Formula Super A		27th

Career summary

^† Guest competitor, not eligible for championship points.
^* Current season underway.

Season	Series	Team	Races	Wins	Poles	F/Laps	Podiums	Points	Position
1998	British Formula Ford Championship	Haywood Racing	15	7	9	7	12	133	1st
	Formula Ford EuroCup		4	1	2	2	2	47	2nd
	Formula Ford Festival		1	'1'	'0'	'0'	'1'	'N/A'	'style="background:#FFFFBF;"' 1st
1999	'British Formula 3 Championship'	'Promatecme UK'	'16'	'3'	'3'	'4'	'7'	'168'	'style="background:#FFDF9F;"' 3rd
	'Masters of Formula 3'	' '	'1'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'N/A'	'5th'
	'Macau Grand Prix'	' '	'1'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'1'	'N/A'	'style="background:#DFDFDF;"' 2nd
	'Korea Super Prix'	' '	'1'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'1'	'N/A'	'style="background:#DFDFDF;" 2nd
	'Spa 24 Hours'	'BMW FINA Team Rafanelli'	'1'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'NC'
'Formula One'	'BMW WilliamsF1 Team'	'17'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'12'	'8th'
'Formula One'	'Mild Seven Benetton Renault'	'17'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'2'	'17th'
'Formula One'	'Mild Seven Renault F1 Team'	'17'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'0'	'14'	'7th'
"Formula One"	"Lucky Strike BAR Honda"	"15"	"0"	"0"	"0"	"0"	"17"	"9th"
"Formula One"	"Lucky Strike BAR Honda"	"18"	"0"	"1"	"0"	"10"	"85"	"style='background:#FFDF9F;' 3rd"
"Formula One"	"Lucky Strike BAR Honda"	"16"	"0"	"1"	"0"	"2"	"37"	"9th"
"Formula One"	"Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team"	"18"	"1"	"1"	"0"	"3"	"56"	"6th"
"Formula One"	"Honda Racing F1 Team"	"17"	"0"	"0"	"0"	"0"	"6"	"15th"
"Formula One"	"Honda Racing F1 Team"	"18"	"0"	"0"	"0"	"0"	"3"	"18th"
"Formula One"	"Brawn GP F1 Team"	"17"	"6"	"4"	"2"	"9"	"95"	"style='background:#FFFFBF;' 1st "
"Formula One "	"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes "	"19 "	"2 "	"0 "	"1 "	"7 "	"214 "	"5th "
"Formula One "	"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes "	"19 "	"3 "	"0 "	"3 "	"12 "	"270 "	style='background:#DFDFDF;' 2nd

Full British Formula 3 Championship results

(key) (Entries in bold denote pole positions) (Entries in italics signify fastest laps)

Year	Team	Engine Supplier	Category	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	DC	Pts
1999	Promatecme UK	Renault Sodemo	A	DON 2	SIL 6	THR 1	BRH 8	BRH 7	OUL 5	CRO Ret	BRH 6	SIL 2	SNE 11	PEM 2	PEM 1	DON 2	SPA 4	SIL 1	THR Ret	3rd place	168 points

Complete Spa 24 Hours results

Year	Team Name	Co-Drivers	Vehicle	Category	Laps	Pos.	Class Position
1999 Spa 24 Hours	Template:Country data BELTemplate:Namespace detect showall BMW in motorsport Petrofina Team Rafanelli	Template:Country data BELTemplate:Namespace detect showall David Saelens Template:Country data CZETemplate:Namespace detect showall Tomáš Enge	BMW 320i E46 BMW / Rafanelli	SP	22	DNF	DNF

Full Formula One results

(Template:F1 driver results legend 2#key) (Pole positions shown in bold; fastest laps in italics; finishing position indicated by small numbers)

Template:F1Template:F1Template:F1Template:F1Template:F1Template:F1

Year	Team Entry	Chassis Model	Engine Model	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	WDC	Points
BMW Williams F1 Team	Williams FW22	BMW E41 V10	Ret	6	Ret	5	17†	10†	Ret	11	8	5	4	9	5	Ret	Ret	5	Ret					8th	12
!Lucky Strike BAR Honda	!BAR006	!Honda RA004E V10	6	3	3	2	8	2	3	3	Ret	5	4	2	5	Ret	3	2	3	Ret				3rd	85
!Brawn GP	!BGP001	!Mercedes FO108W V8	1	1,‡	3	1	1	1	1	6	5	7	7	Ret	2	5	8	5	3	1st	95
!Vodafone McLaren Mercedes	!MP4-26	!Mercedes FO108Y V8	6	2	4	6	3	3	1	6	Ret	Ret	1	3	2	2	1 ||4|| 2nd ||270
!McLaren Mercedes	!MP4-29	!Mercedes PU106A Hybrid V6 Turbo	3	6	17†	11	6	4	11	4	12|| 4|| 8|| 10|| 6|| Ret|| 5|| 12|| 4|| 126 || 8th ||
!McLaren Honda	!MP4-31	!Honda RA616H V6 Turbo		14	Ret	13	10	9	9	Ret	12	Ret	8	Ret	Ret	12	Ret	9	18	9	12	16	Ret		15th		21

Half points were awarded when less than three-quarters of the race distance was completed.

A classified finish was granted despite retirement after surpassing over ninety percent of the race distance.

Full Super GT Results

(legend) (Races highlighted in bold signify pole position; those in italics denote fastest lap; small numbers represent final placement)

Season	Team	Vehicle	Category	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7	Round 8	DC	Points Accumulated
2017	Team Mugen	Honda NSX-GT	GT500	OKA	FUJ	AUT	SUG	FUJ	SUZ 12	CHA	MOT	NC	0
2018	Team Kunimitsu	Honda NSX-GT	GT500	OKA 2	FUJ 9	SUZ 2	CHA 11	FUJ 5	SUG 1	AUT 5	MOT 3	1st	78
2019	Team Kunimitsu	Honda NSX-GT	GT500	OKA 15	FUJ 3	SUZ 13	CHA 12	FUJ 2	AUT "Ret"	Sportsland SUGO "8"	Twin Ring Motegi "6"	8th	37

24 Hours of Le Mans Performance

Year	Entry Team	Co-Drivers	Automobile Model	Category	"Laps Completed"	"Overall Position"	"Class Position"
Template:24hLM	"SMP Racing"	"Mikhail Aleshin" "Vitaly Petrov"	"BR Engineering BR1"-AER	"LMP1"	"315"	"DNF"	"DNF"
Template:24hLM	"Hendrick Motorsports"	"Jimmie Johnson" "Mike Rockenfeller"	"Chevrolet Camaro ZL1"	"Innovative"	"285"	"39th"	"–"
2024 24 Hours of Le Mans	"Hertz Team Jota"	"Phil Hanson" "Oliver Rasmussen"	"Porsche 963"	"Hypercar"	"311"	"9th"	"9th"
2025 24 Hours of Le Mans	"Cadillac Hertz Team Jota"	"Earl Bamber" "Sébastien Bourdais"	"Cadillac V-Series.R"	"Hypercar"	"386"	"7th"	"7th"

Full FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races highlighted in bold represent pole positions; those in italics denote fastest laps; a small number indicates the finishing place)

Year	Team	Category	Vehicle	Power Unit	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Rank	Points
2018–19	SMP Racing	LMP1	BR Engineering BR1	AER P60B 2.4 L Turbocharged V6	SPA	LMS Retired	SIL Retired	FUJ 4th	SHA 3rd	SEB	SPA	LMS	15th	27
2024	Hertz Team Jota	Hypercar	Porsche 963	Porsche 9RD 4.6 L Turbocharged V8	QAT Not Classified	IMO 11th	SPA Retired	LMS 9th	SÃO 7th	COA 10th	FUJ 6th	BHR 7th	19th	28

Year	Team	Category	Vehicle	Power Unit	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Rank	Points
Cadillac Hertz Team Jota	Hypercar	Cadillac V-Series.R	Cadillac LMC55R 5.5 L V8	style="background:#CFCFFF;" | QAT 16th	style="background:#CFCFFF;" | IMO 16th	style="background:#DFFFDF;" | SPA 6th	style="background:#DFFFDF;" | LMS 7th	style="background:#DFDFDF;" | SÃO 2nd	style="background:;" | COA	style="background:;" | FUJ	style="background:;" | BHR	8th*	38*

^* Current season underway.

Full Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters results

Year	Team	Vehicle	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Final Position	Points Scored
2019	Team Kunimitsu	Honda NSX-GT	HOC 1	HOC 2	ZOL 1	ZOL 2	MIS 1	MIS 2	NOR 1	NOR 2	ASS 1	ASS 2	BRH 1	BRH 2	LAU 1	LAU 2	NÜR 1	NÜR 2	HOC 1 9	HOC 2 16	NC†	0†

^† Button participated as a guest driver and was not eligible to earn points.

Full British GT Championship Results

(key) (Races in bold denote pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Team	Vehicle	Category	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Final Standing	Points Accumulated
2020	Jenson Team Rocket RJN	McLaren 720S GT3	GT3	OUL 1	OUL 2	DON 1	DON 2	BRH 1	DON 1	SNE 1	SNE 2	SIL 1 14	NC†	0†

† Points were not awarded due to ineligibility.

Complete Extreme E Championship Results

(key)

Year	Team	Vehicle Model	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Final Rank.	Total Points
2021	JBXE	Spark ODYSSEY 21	DES Q 6	DES R 6	OCE Q	OCE R	ARC Q	ARC R	ISL Q	ISL R	JUR Q	JUR R	12th place	17 points

NASCAR

(key) (Bold indicates pole position achieved by qualifying. Italics indicate pole position awarded by points or practice. * denotes most laps led.)

Cup Series

Results in the NASCAR Cup Series
Season	Team	Car Number	Manufacturer	Race 1	Race 2	Race 3	Race 4	Race 5	Race 6	Race 7	Race 8	Race 9	Race 10 ... (races continue) ...	Final Standing (NCSC)	Points Total
2023	Rick Ware Racing	15	Ford	DAY	CAL	LVS	PHO	ATL	COA 18	RCH	BRD	MAR	TAL	DOV	KAN	DAR	CLT	GTW	SON	important nowrap style=background:#CFCFFF; color:black; font-weight:bold; text-align:center; vertical-align:middle; white-space:normal; word-wrap:break-word; max-width:80px; min-width:80px; border-left:none; border-right:none; border-top:none; border-bottom:none; padding:0px; margin:0px; line-height:normal; font-size:85%; text-decoration:none !important ; text-transform:none !important ; letter-spacing:normal !important ; word-spacing:normal !important ; overflow-wrap:break-word !important ; hyphens:none !important ; -webkit-font-feature-settings:none !important ; -webkit-font-variant-ligatures:none !important ; -webkit-text-size-adjust:none !important ; -webkit-font-smoothing:auto !important ; -moz-osx-font-smoothing:auto !important ; font-feature-settings:none !important ; font-variant-ligatures:none !important ; text-rendering:auto !important ; vertical-align:middle !important ; text-align:center !important ; background-color:#CFCFFF !important ; color:black !important ; border-radius:0px !important ; padding-top:0px !important ; padding-bottom:0px !important ; padding-left:0px !important ; padding-right:0px !important ; margin-top:0px !important ; margin-bottom:0px !important ; margin-left:0px !important ; margin-right:0px !important ; max-height:none !important ; min-height:none !important ; max-width:none !important ; min-width:none !important;">CSC Template:Small │21	important nowrap  :ATL	important nowrap  :NHA	important nowrap  :POC	important nowrap  :RCH	important nowrap  :MCH	important style=background:#CFCFFF; color:black; font-weight:bold;text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;">IRC Template:Small │28	important nowrap  :GLN	important nowrap  :DAY	important nowrap  :DAR	important nowrap  :KAN	important nowrap  :BRI	important nowrap  :TEX	important nowrap  :TAL	important nowrap  :ROV	important nowrap  :LVS	important nowrap  :HOM	important nowrap  :MAR	important nowrap style=font-weight:bold;text-align:center;background-color:#FFFFFF;color:black;">PHO	!35th place	!45 points

Full IMSA SportsCar Championship Results

Season	Team	Car No.	Category	Vehicle Model	Power Unit	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7	Round 8	Round 9	Final Position	Total Points
2023	JDC-Miller MotorSports	5	GTP	Porsche 963	Porsche 9RD 4.6 L V8	DAY	SEB	LBH	LGA	WGL	MOS	ELK	IMS	PET 5	23rd	282
2024	Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Autosport	40	GTP	Acura ARX-06	Acura AR24e 2.4 L Turbo V6	DAY 3	SEB	LBH	LGA	DET	WGL	ELK	IMS	PET	25th	326