Jenson Button Reflects on Illustrious Three-Decade Motorsport Career, Highlighting Key Victories and Memorable Machinery.

Jenson Button, a figure synonymous with versatility and endurance in global motorsport, recently concluded a significant chapter of his professional racing career at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) season finale in Bahrain. Across a distinguished journey spanning nearly three decades, Button amassed titles across diverse disciplines, including Formula Ford, Formula 1, and Super GT, while also making notable appearances in endurance racing, NASCAR, Extreme E, and rallycross. His path was not without its formidable challenges, including periods where he openly admitted fears for his Formula 1 future amidst uncompetitive machinery and the looming uncertainty surrounding Honda’s commitment to grand prix racing. However, a transformative 2009 season with Brawn GP propelled him to the pinnacle of Formula 1, firmly establishing his legacy as one of Britain’s most successful racing drivers.

Button’s journey to the elite echelons of motorsport commenced with early success in karting, where he secured the prestigious Formula Super A European Championship. This early promise quickly translated into an opportunity that would define his career trajectory. Recalling a pivotal moment, Button shared, "Walking into Frank [Williams]’s office in 2000 when I got the drive for Williams, and he said, ‘you’re going to be an F1 driver!’ That was pretty cool." His Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2000, driving the FW22, marked the beginning of a 17-season tenure in the sport, a period during which he demonstrated both raw speed and exceptional race craft.

Following his debut season, Button transitioned to Benetton, which subsequently evolved into Renault, for a two-year stint. It was during his subsequent move to BAR-Honda in 2003 that his Formula 1 career truly began to flourish. The 2004 season, in particular, saw Button deliver a breakout performance, securing 10 podium finishes across 18 races and concluding the championship in an impressive third place, behind only the dominant Ferrari duo of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. This consistent form underscored his potential, setting the stage for his maiden Grand Prix victory. This significant milestone arrived two years later at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, a chaotic wet race where Button, driving for the factory Honda team, navigated treacherous conditions to claim an emotional first win.

However, the period immediately following his first victory saw a decline in Honda’s competitive fortunes, culminating in the Japanese manufacturer’s withdrawal from Formula 1 at the height of the 2008 global financial crisis. This unexpected turn of events left Button’s career hanging precariously in the balance. The subsequent management buyout by Ross Brawn, transforming the Brackley-based squad into Brawn GP, engineered one of Formula 1’s most improbable and fairytale seasons. In 2009, armed with the revolutionary double-diffuser equipped BGP 001, Button achieved unparalleled success, winning six of the first seven races. Despite a mid-season dip in form as competitors caught up, he ultimately secured the Drivers’ World Championship at the penultimate race in Brazil, beating his experienced teammate Rubens Barrichello. Brawn GP also clinched the Constructors’ Championship, marking a remarkable and unprecedented triumph for a team formed just weeks before the season began.

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Button’s success with Brawn GP led to a high-profile move to McLaren in 2010, where he partnered with fellow British World Champion Lewis Hamilton. This period further solidified his reputation as a formidable competitor. Over the next six seasons with McLaren, Button added eight more Grand Prix victories to his tally, bringing his career total to 15. The 2011 season stood out as a particular highlight, where he finished a strong second in the championship standings to Sebastian Vettel, demonstrating consistent pace and strategic brilliance. He retired from full-time Formula 1 competition at the end of 2016, making a one-off return at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix to substitute for Fernando Alonso.

Beyond Formula 1, Button’s passion for racing remained undiminished, leading him to explore various motorsport disciplines. His successful foray into the Japanese Super GT series culminated in a championship title in 2018 with Team Kunimitsu, alongside co-driver Naoki Yamamoto, driving a Honda NSX-GT. This victory underscored his adaptability and skill across different car types and racing environments. Button joined the WEC for the 2018/19 season with SMP Racing, driving the BR Engineering BR1, securing one podium finish before stepping back to prioritize Super GT commitments and family. He made a notable return to the WEC in 2024 with a two-year deal with Jota, initially piloting a customer Porsche 963 LMDh before switching to the factory-spec Cadillac V-Series.R. Across his two stints in the WEC, he secured two podium finishes, demonstrating his continued competitiveness in top-tier endurance racing.

Reflecting on his diverse career, Button highlighted two moments in the WEC that particularly resonated with him. "One would be Brazil [this year] because of getting a 1-2 [for Cadillac and Jota]," he explained, referring to the 2024 6 Hours of Sao Paulo. "Our car wasn’t on the top step, but I didn’t care. It was the atmosphere that we had, that moment, getting a 1-2 in such a competitive championship, with a car that was pretty new to Jota, was exceptional. Really proud of the whole team."

Another unique experience that stood out was his participation in the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours. Button was selected to drive the innovative Garage 56 entry, a modified NASCAR-based Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, alongside stock car legend Jimmie Johnson and 2010 Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller. This experimental project, designed to showcase groundbreaking technology and raise awareness for NASCAR on the global stage, captured significant attention. "The other special moment in WEC would actually not be with Jota. It would be the Garage 56 car. Just because it’s something that no one else got to do. It was such a cool project, and something that probably won’t ever happen again," Button stated, emphasizing the unparalleled nature of the experience. The Garage 56 entry completed the challenging 24-hour race, a testament to the team’s effort and the car’s surprising reliability, finishing 39th overall among a field of 62, and demonstrating competitive pace against some GT cars.

When discussing the machinery that defined his Formula 1 career, Button offered insightful perspectives on his favourite cars. "The best car for me was the 2011 McLaren [MP4-26]. I would say it was the best car I ever drove in F1," he declared. The MP4-26, known for its strong front end and aerodynamic efficiency, allowed Button to secure three victories and 12 podiums in 2011, making it his most successful season by race wins after his championship year.

For the sheer driving sensation, Button pointed to the 2004 BAR-Honda 006. "And then for the feel, I would say probably the 2004 BAR-Honda [006]. We had a flexi rear wing and it was such a nice car to drive [with the] V10 [engine]. It wasn’t as quick as the Ferrari, but it was just really nice to drive. I got 10 podiums [but] didn’t win a race," he reminisced. The 006, powered by a screaming V10 engine, epitomized the high-downforce, high-grip era before regulatory changes, and its compliant rear wing design (later outlawed) offered a distinctive handling characteristic that Button clearly relished. His performance in this car, achieving eight top-three finishes, cemented his status as a future star.

The Brawn BGP 001, the car that carried him to his World Championship, held a unique place in his heart, albeit with a nuanced perspective on its absolute performance. "The funny thing with the Brawn is, everyone’s like, ‘it must have been the best car you ever drove’," Button observed. "But we went from the regulations with more downforce in 2008 to then less downforce in 2009. So [the Brawn] was better than the other cars, but it wasn’t that quick; there were still weaknesses of the car. But the memories from that car were amazing." The BGP 001’s early-season dominance was largely attributed to its innovative double-diffuser design, which exploited a loophole in the new aerodynamic regulations, providing a significant downforce advantage over its rivals. While it faced increasing competition as other teams developed their own solutions, it remained sufficiently competitive to secure the championship.

Finally, his inaugural Formula 1 car, the Williams FW22 from 2000, also earned a special mention. "Also, my first-ever F1 car was pretty special, the FW22. It did nothing wrong. It was just so nice to drive, like a big go-kart. And I actually got to drive that car last year at Silverstone, which was great," Button shared. The FW22, equipped with a BMW engine, provided a stable and predictable platform for the young rookie, allowing him to score 12 points and finish 8th in the Constructors’ Championship during his debut season, showcasing his innate talent.

Jenson Button’s career has been a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an enduring love for racing. From the early triumphs in karting to the pinnacle of Formula 1, and subsequently across diverse international categories, his journey reflects a deep-seated passion and a remarkable ability to extract performance from varied machinery. As he concludes this active phase of his professional racing career, his reflections offer valuable insights into the moments and machines that shaped a truly exceptional motorsport legacy.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.