F1 champions get lifetime all-access 'red pass' paddock privilege, Button reveals

Formula 1 world champions are granted a lifetime all-access 'red pass' to the paddock, a special privilege revealed by 2009 title winner Jenson Button. The perk provides permanent, unrestricted access to the grid, pitlane, and media areas, a tangible lifetime benefit of achieving the sport's ultimate honor.

Why it matters:

Beyond the trophy and prestige, the red pass represents a lasting connection to the F1 world for its champions. It acknowledges their permanent status within the sport's elite, allowing them to remain intimately involved in the F1 community long after their driving careers end, as seen with figures like Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg.

The details:

• In a video for Sky Sports F1, Button confirmed the red pass is a direct perk of winning a drivers' championship, stating, "you have to have won a world championship to have that for life."
• The pass grants holders all-access credentials, enabling entry to the most exclusive and operationally critical areas of a Grand Prix weekend, including the pre-race grid and the team working areas of the pitlane.
• Other champions frequently utilizing this privilege include four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, 2016 title winner Nico Rosberg, 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve, and three-time champion Sir Jackie Stewart.

The big picture:

Button's revelation comes as he begins a new chapter closely tied to F1, having recently been appointed a team ambassador for Aston Martin Aramco. In this role, which he started in February 2026, he will represent the team at global events and media engagements, leveraging his experience from his championship-winning partnership with Honda, which is now a works partner with Aston Martin. This move underscores how champions continue to shape and participate in the sport's ecosystem, with the red pass facilitating that ongoing role.