Jenson Button has officially announced his retirement from professional motorsport. The former world champion will participate in his final race at the Eight Hours of Bahrain in early November before concluding his racing career.
After retiring from Formula 1 in 2016 and making a one-off return at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, Button ventured into various racing series such as the NASCAR Cup Series and the World Endurance Championship.
The 45-year-old, who currently works as a pundit on Sky Sports F1, had previously indicated his intention to step back from full-time racing and part ways with Jota Cadillac. Now, Button has confirmed that he is indeed retiring from competitive racing.
Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Button expressed his fondness for the Bahrain track where he will have his final race. He cited his busy life and the desire to spend more time with his young children as reasons for stepping away from professional racing.
Fans of Formula 1 can catch all the action live with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which offers savings and access to over 100 TV channels, as well as complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Despite facing challenges earlier in the season at Qatar and Imola, Button’s team staged a strong comeback with notable performances at Spa and Le Mans, culminating in a podium finish in Sao Paulo. Alongside teammates Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais, Button is focused on helping Cadillac in their battle for the American Manufacturers’ Championship against Porsche. Heading into the final round in Bahrain, his team is trailing Porsche by 22 points.
Button remains optimistic about the team’s prospects, aiming for a strong finish in Bahrain. He emphasized the significance of the upcoming race, noting that it marks the end of his illustrious racing career.