F1 News: Jenson Button Opens Up On Racing Return

Former F1 champion Jenson Button has spoken about his return to full-time racing for 2024.

Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has announced his return to competitive racing, joining the World Endurance Championship with JOTA's Porsche hypercar. "I'm still at my best. I have a pass from the wife," Button remarked, indicating his readiness for this new chapter in his career.

Key Takeaways

• Jenson Button's Racing Comeback: Button, who retired from Formula 1 in 2016, is making a significant return to motorsport. He will compete in the hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship, driving the Jota Porsche 963.
• Extensive Racing Background: With an impressive Formula 1 history of 306 races over 18 years and various guest appearances in motorsports, Button's experience is expected to be invaluable in his 2024 campaign.
• A Revived Sportscar Racing Scene: Button's return coincides with a resurgence in sportscar racing, marked by the participation of major manufacturers and the introduction of new rules promoting diverse performance approaches.

Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 champion, has chosen a thrilling new venture in the world of motorsport. Teaming up with JOTA, he is set to pilot a Porsche hypercar in the upcoming season of the World Endurance Championship. Button's return is a nod to his unquenched passion for racing, as he asserts: 

"I'm a better person when I'm racing.

"LMDH [hypercars] have 38 pages of just what the steering wheel does; there so many switches… so many different things for the same issue. There's lot to learn - it's a staggering amount of stuff and it blows your mind and takes a while to get used to."

Button's career in Formula 1 is nothing short of legendary. Over 18 seasons, he participated in 306 Grands Prix, leaving a significant mark in the history of the sport. After retiring from F1 in 2016, Button didn't stray far from racing, making guest appearances in various classes, including a stint at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last season. Now, at the age of 43, and soon turning 44, Button is geared up for a full season in motorsport - a first since his F1 days.

The World Endurance Championship is witnessing a notable revival, with major car manufacturers like Porsche, Ferrari, Cadillac, and Peugeot reinvigorating the series. Button's entry into the 2024 season is timely, aligning with the arrival of new participants like Alpine, BMW, and Lamborghini, and the future addition of Aston Martin in 2025.

Button's enthusiasm is palpable as he prepares for his first race in the 2024 FIA WEC season. Scheduled to begin in Doha, Qatar, from March 1-2, this race marks the start of what promises to be an exciting year for motorsport fans. Button also plans to participate in the American IMSA Sportscar Championship, racing in the Daytona 24 Hours in Florida for WTR Andretti Acura.

"I'm thrilled to be racing in the 2024 World Endurance Championship," Button stated.

"I'm already looking forward to the first race, but also know there's a lot of work to be done so that we arrive prepared."