Jenson Button has officially announced his retirement from the world of motorsport. The former 2009 world champion will be participating in his final race at the Eight Hours of Bahrain in early November before bidding farewell to his racing career.
After exiting Formula 1 in 2016 and making a brief comeback with McLaren at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, Button ventured into various racing categories such as the NASCAR Cup Series and the World Endurance Championship.
At 45 years old, the Somerset-native, who currently serves as a pundit on Sky Sports F1, disclosed back in July his decision to step away from full-time racing and part ways with Jota Cadillac. Now, Button has confirmed that he is concluding his racing endeavors.
In an interview with BBC Radio Somerset, Button expressed, “This will be my last race. I’ve always enjoyed racing in Bahrain, and I plan to savor every moment as this marks the end of my professional racing career.”
Citing his busy life and the desire to spend more time with his young children, Button emphasized the importance of stepping back from competitive racing. Despite recent challenges at the start of the season, Button, along with teammates Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais, aims to lead Cadillac to victory in the American Manufacturers’ Championship battle against Porsche, with the team trailing by 22 points heading into the final round in Bahrain.
Looking ahead to the upcoming race, Button remarked, “We are still in contention for the Constructors’ Championship. While winning is a tough challenge, securing second place is within reach. I am eager to make the most of my final race in Bahrain, a track I have always enjoyed, as it signifies the end of my professional racing journey.”