In a career spanning nearly three decades, Jenson Button won titles in Formula Ford, Formula 1 and Super GT, established himself in endurance racing, and also dabbled in NASCAR, Extreme E and rallycross.
There were difficult spells along the way, and Button even admitted he once feared his time in F1 was over as he battled uncompetitive machinery and uncertainty surrounding Honda’s future in grand prix racing.
But a fairytale season with Brawn GP in 2009 completely transformed his career, leading to him becoming one of the most successful British drivers of all time.
Button’s career highlights
Jenson Button, Brawn Grand Prix celebrates winning the World Championship
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
As Button brought down the curtain on his professional racing career at the World Endurance Championship’s season finale in Bahrain last weekend, he looked back on the moments that defined his journey.
“Winning the Formula Super A European Championship in karting,” he began. “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.
“First podium, always exciting, which was [in] 2004 [at Sepang]. First win, 2006 [Hungarian GP], and obviously the world championship in 2009.
“But then also winning the Super GT championship in 2018. It doesn’t matter what championship it is, when you win, the emotion and the adrenaline is still the same. So that was pretty special.”
Button’s best WEC moments
#24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 of Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, Jenson Button
Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images
Button first joined the WEC for the 2018/19 season, driving the BR Engineering BR1 for SMP Racing. But he left the programme after just four rounds to prioritise his commitments in Super GT and spend more time with his family.
He returned to the WEC in 2024 on a two-year deal with Jota, initially racing the customer Porsche 963 LMDh before switching to the factory-spec Cadillac V-Series.R this year.
Across his two stints in the WEC he scored two podiums – one each with SMP and Jota – but never stood on the top step of the rostrum.
Button was also selected to drive a NASCAR-based Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours, sharing the Garage 56 entry with stock car legend Jimmie Johnson and 2010 winner Mike Rockenfeller.
“Two moments that really stand out [for me in the WEC],” he said. “One would be Brazil [this year] because of getting a 1-2 [for Cadillac and Jota].
“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.
“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’s favourite F1 cars
Jenson Button, McLaren MP4/26
Photo by: Sutton Images
Button made his F1 debut with Williams in 2000 before moving to Benetton, which later became Renault, on a two-year deal.
It wasn’t until his switch to BAR-Honda in 2003 that he truly found his stride, delivering an impressive sophomore campaign the following year to finish third in the championship with 10 podiums from 18 races.
A first victory followed two years later, but Honda’s competitive fortunes declined afterwards, and the Japanese manufacturer left F1 at the height of the global financial crisis in 2008.
Ross Brawn’s management buyout saved the Brackley-based squad and, under the Brawn GP banner, it won both championships in 2009, with Button beating team-mate Rubens Barrichello to the drivers’ title.
Even as Mercedes took over Brawn GP the following year, Button joined forces with McLaren, teaming up with Lewis Hamilton. Eight more race wins followed, taking his career total to 15, and he even finished second to Sebastian Vettel in the 2011 standings.
Button retired from F1 at the end of 2016 but made a one-off return at the 2017 Monaco GP, substituting for Fernando Alonso.
Speaking in Bahrain, the 45-year-old picked out the F1 cars he enjoyed driving the most.
“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 said.
“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.
“And then the Brawn [BGP 001]. The funny thing with the Brawn is, everyone’s like, ‘it must have been the best car you ever drove’.
“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.
“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.”
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