Jenson Button Confirms Departure from Full-Time Racing at End o.. read more
Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One World Champion, has confirmed that he will step away from full-time racing at the conclusion of the 2025 motorsport season. The British driver, who has enjoyed a storied career both in Formula 1 and beyond, is currently contesting the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with the Jota team in partnership with Cadillac. Button’s decision to bow out from full-season commitments comes after two years of competing full-time in the hyper-competitive WEC, during which he has added more podium success to his extensive motorsport résumé.
The 45-year-old veteran made the announcement shortly after celebrating a strong second-place finish at the 6 Hours of São Paulo, held at Brazil’s iconic Interlagos circuit. That race was a significant moment for the Jota-Cadillac alliance as the team’s sister No. 12 car claimed Cadillac’s maiden WEC victory, further underscoring the rising performance level of the privateer entry against factory giants like Toyota, Ferrari, and Porsche. Button, racing in the No. 38 car, has been a key part of that progress, contributing experience, feedback, and consistency across two demanding seasons. However, despite the recent success, Button has made it clear that 2025 will be his final year racing on a full-time basis.
“Life has got too busy with so many different things going on – it is a very busy schedule I have,” Button admitted, citing the demands of his multifaceted career and personal responsibilities. “It is about time I start thinking about the future a little bit more, and I want to spend more time with my family.” His comments reflect a growing trend among motorsport veterans who, after decades of racing, choose to refocus on life beyond the cockpit. For Button, the choice appears to be driven more by balance and priorities than a lack of competitiveness.
Indeed, Button emphasized that his decision to leave full-time racing was also out of fairness to the team. “It is unfair as well to the team: I probably don’t have enough time to give to it, especially next year.” These words underline his professionalism and the high standards he holds himself to, even as his schedule becomes increasingly packed with commitments outside of racing. Despite the announcement, Button reassured fans that he’s not retiring entirely from the sport. “I will be racing in something next year, but not a full season,” he confirmed.
Button’s life away from the race track is anything but quiet. Now a regular pundit on Sky Sports F1, he continues to lend expert analysis during Formula 1 race weekends. His presence in the broadcast booth has been welcomed by fans for his deep understanding of the sport, technical insight, and charisma. Alongside his media responsibilities, Button also has business interests and brand commitments, many of which require international travel and significant time investment.
Family life has also taken center stage in Button’s evolving priorities. The former McLaren and Brawn GP star resides in Los Angeles with his wife, model Brittny Ward, and their two young children, Hendrix and Lenny. Button has often spoken fondly of fatherhood, and it’s clear that the desire to spend more quality time with his growing family played a major role in this latest career decision. The challenges of juggling international race schedules with parenting duties are well documented in the motorsport world, and Button’s move reflects the natural evolution of a driver’s career and life goals.
While Button is stepping back from full-season competition, speculation continues to swirl around where we might see him racing in a part-time or guest capacity in 2026. One potential destination is NASCAR, a series he briefly sampled in 2023 with three Cup Series appearances for Rick Ware Racing. While Button hasn’t confirmed any concrete plans, he left the door open for a return, saying: “Maybe, we’ll see.” His brief foray into NASCAR garnered attention on both sides of the Atlantic, and his adaptability across disciplines — from Formula 1 to endurance racing to stock cars — underscores his talent and versatility.
As Button prepares for what will be his final full-time campaign in professional motorsport, the WEC paddock is left to consider who might fill his shoes at Jota. Team boss Sam Hignett has confirmed that no decision has been made yet regarding Button’s replacement for 2026. However, Hignett did stress that the current driver lineup would remain unchanged for the rest of the ongoing season. With the Hypercar class becoming increasingly competitive and attracting top talent from across global motorsport, the vacancy left by Button is sure to be hotly contested.
Button’s decision to step down marks the end of yet another chapter in a legendary career that began in Formula 1 over two decades ago. After debuting with Williams in 2000 and going on to win the world championship with Brawn GP in 2009, Button remained a fixture in F1 until 2017 before transitioning into other disciplines. His post-F1 journey has included stints in Super GT, endurance racing, and media roles — all of which he has embraced with the same enthusiasm and professionalism that defined his Formula 1 career.
In many ways, Jenson Button’s story is a testament to longevity, adaptability, and personal evolution. As he transitions into a new phase of life, the motorsport world will no doubt continue to follow his journey — whether it be in the broadcast booth, behind the wheel of a race car on a part-time basis, or simply enjoying more time as a husband and father. Whatever comes next, Button’s legacy as a world-class driver, ambassador of the sport, and beloved personality is firmly secured.
