Former Formula One world champion Jenson Button announced his retirement from professional motorsport, citing a desire to prioritize family and explore other interests after a career spanning decades.
The 45-year-old British driver confirmed his final competitive appearance will be the 8 Hours of Bahrain, scheduled for November 8. He will not participate in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) next year.
Button emphasized the importance of family time in his decision. “My kids are four and six, and when you’re away for a week, you miss a lot,” Button told BBC Radio Somerset. “That time doesn’t come back. I feel like I’ve missed a lot in the last two years, which wasn’t a problem because I knew that would happen, but I’m not willing to go through that again for another season.”
Reflecting on his impending final race, Button added, “This will be my last race. I’ve always enjoyed Bahrain, I think it’s a fun track and I’m going to make the most of it as this will be the end of my professional career in motorsport.”
Button’s illustrious career began in Formula One in 2000 with Williams. He competed in 306 F1 races, placing him sixth on the all-time list for appearances.
His F1 achievements include 15 victories, 50 podium finishes, and eight pole positions. The highlight of his career came in 2009 when he secured the Formula One world championship with the Brawn GP team, in a memorable underdog story.
After leaving Formula One at the end of the 2016 season, with a one-off return in 2017, Button branched out into various racing disciplines. These included Super GT, sports cars, and Extreme E, along with three appearances at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He spent the last two years competing in the World Endurance Championship. Button explained his decision to step away from WEC: “I’ve really enjoyed my time with Jota in WEC, but my life has become very busy and it wouldn’t be fair to the team or myself to think that in 2026 I’ll have enough time for it.”
While stepping back from professional competition, Button expressed a desire to continue driving his classic cars for personal enjoyment. “I have classic cars that I love to drive and that’s exciting for me because they’re mine and I love the mechanical aspect,” he said.