Jenson Button Reflects on Emotional Final Race, Deeper Than F1 Exit
Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 World Champion, has concluded his extensive racing career, describing his final World Endurance Championship race as more emotional and sadder than his Formula 1 retirement. After two decades across various motorsport disciplines, Button, 45, cited a busy life as the reason for stepping back, expressing contentment with his achievements while planning to continue driving at historic events for pure enjoyment.
Jenson Button has officially concluded his illustrious racing career, marking the moment as more emotionally significant than his departure from Formula 1 nearly a decade ago. After two decades of chasing checkered flags, the 2009 F1 World Champion's final professional outing at the Bahrain 8 Hours for the World Endurance Championship brought a profound sense of finality.
Why it matters:
Jenson Button's career spanned various top-tier motorsport categories, from his Formula 1 debut in 2000 to his championship victory in 2009, and later ventures into Super GT, sportscar racing, and NASCAR. His reflection on this ultimate retirement highlights the unique emotional attachment drivers develop for continuous competition versus moving between disciplines. This sentiment offers insight into the psychology of a career racer and the true impact of hanging up the helmet for good.
The Details:
- Long and Varied Career: Button's racing journey included 306 F1 Grand Prix starts with teams like Williams, BAR, Honda, Brawn GP, and McLaren, culminating in his 2009 World Championship. Post-F1, he competed in Super GT, sportscar racing, and even made a NASCAR cameo.
- WEC Stint: His most recent full-time competition was in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Jota, achieving a season-best second place at the 6 Hours of São Paulo.
- Emotional Farewell: Button described his final professional race, the Bahrain 8 Hours, as "very emotional." He noted the difference from his F1 retirement, stating, "This moment was more emotional, it was sadder, but also great as I'm able to reflect." Unlike his F1 exit, which was followed by new racing opportunities, this marks a complete departure from professional competition.
- Life's New Chapter: At 45, Button acknowledged that life has become "too busy" to continue full-time professional racing, despite still enjoying it and being competitive.
What's next:
While Button is stepping away from professional competition, his passion for driving remains. He plans to continue participating in historic car events like the Goodwood Revival, purely for the enjoyment of motoring rather than podium finishes. His words reflect a sense of contentment and fulfillment, stating, "I don't feel like I've left anything on the table. I'm content with what I've achieved." This marks the end of an era for a true gentleman racer who left an indelible mark on motorsport.