Jenson Button, the legendary British driver who won the Formula 1 world title in 2009, has officially announced his permanent retirement from motorsport. His last appearance on the track will be on November 8, 2026, in the Bahrain 8 Hours, the final stage of the WEC (World Endurance Championship) season.
Jenson Button pulls his handbrake | PHOTO Facebook
Starting in 2024, Button, now 45, competes in the Hypercar class for the Jota team alongside Earl Bamber and Sébastien Bourdais. Although it was known that he would leave the championship at the end of 2025, the Briton decided to put an end to his driving career.
Jenson Button: “We are in the race for victory”
In an interview with BBC Radio Somerset, Jenson Button spoke candidly about the timing of his retirement:
“We are still fighting for the constructors’ championship as a team. We are in the race for victory and although it is not an easy task, second place is achievable. There’s a lot to look forward to in Bahrain and considering it’s my last race… I’ve always loved racing there.
I think it’s a fun track and I’ll enjoy it as much as I can because this will be the end of my professional racing career. But I am happy with the decision. It wasn’t that difficult to be honest. I really enjoyed racing with Jota in the WEC. But my life has become too busy. It would not be fair, neither to the team nor to me, to think that I have enough time for 2026.
My children are four and six years old. When you’re gone for a week, you miss so much that you never get that time back”, said Jenson Button.
17 years of Formula 1, a world title and a legendary race
Button was one of the symbols of elegance and intelligence in Formula 1. He made his debut in 2000 and started 306 Grands Prix, achieving 15 victories. The crowning moment of his career came in 2009 when he became world champion with Brawn GP, the miracle team born from the ruins of Honda.
In just one year of existence, Brawn GP has dominated Formula 1 and written one of the most spectacular stories in the history of the sport. After the takeover by Mercedes, Button continued at McLaren, where he teamed with Lewis Hamilton and stayed until the end of his F1 career in 2016.
What’s next for Jenson Button?
Although he is retiring from official racing, Button is not leaving motorsport completely. He will continue to drive his own team in Extreme H, remain a pundit for Sky Sports F1 and a consultant for Williams, a role he will hold from 2021. In addition, he will occasionally attend classic car events – one of his great passions.
“It’s not a complete farewell to motorsport. But, yes, it’s the end of the chapter in which I was a professional pilot. I feel prepared and happy with my decision“, Jenson Button also said.
