F1 Champion Reveals Heartfelt Tribute Before Retirement

Jenson Button ends his motorsport career this weekend at the 8 Hours of Bahrain, racing in the World Endurance Championship hypercar class for Cadillac Hertz Team Jota.

The 2009 Formula 1 champion retires to prioritise family time, closing a two-decade run that spans single-seaters, endurance events, and Japan’s Super GT.

Since leaving F1 in 2017, Button diversified his programme, winning the 2018 Super GT title and sampling long-distance events to broaden his racecraft.

His Bahrain finale prioritises execution over headline speed. Hypercar regulations and Balance of Performance compress margins, elevating stint discipline, traffic management, and position through Full Course Yellows and safety cars.

Button unveils a helmet tribute, returning to the black and yellow scheme created by his late father, John, intended to unsettle rivals and underline intent.

The gesture reinforces continuity. Early influences shaped a driving style built on tyre management, wet‑weather feel, and composure when circumstances shift.

Across F1, he records 15 wins and 50 podiums with Honda, BAR, Brawn GP, and McLaren. The 2009 title rests on consistency amid rapidly changing competitive dynamics.

That season brings six wins and 11 podiums, blending early advantage with late‑season damage limitation as rivals close the gap.

Endurance racing sharpens different tools. Cohesion with engineers and co-drivers, pitstop discipline, and measured risk often create decisive gains over an eight-hour distance.

Bahrain’s layout stresses rear-tyre life and braking stability. Managing night-time track evolution and lapped-traffic variance sits at the heart of stint planning.

Button’s presence adds profile and steadiness to WEC as the 2025 landscape evolves, with fresh talent emerging and manufacturer interest deepening.

His exit signals renewal as much as closure. The grid turns over, while his standards in racecraft and professionalism continue to influence peers and newcomers.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.