Jenson Button will end his professional racing career next weekend

The 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button will bring his professional racing career to a close at next weekend’s World Endurance Championship season finale in Bahrain.

The 45-year-old British driver confirmed his retirement decision whilst speaking to BBC Radio Somerset.

“This will be my last race. I’ve always liked Bahrain; I think it’s a fun track, and I’m going to enjoy it as much as I can because this will be the end of my professional racing career,” Button said.

The former McLaren driver has competed with Team Jota in the WEC for the past two seasons following his departure from Formula 1 in 2017.

Jenson Button wants to spend more time with his family

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Button’s decision to step away from professional motorsport centres on his desire to prioritise family life with his wife Brittny Ward and their two young children.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with Jota in WEC, but my life has got way too busy and it’s not fair on the team or on myself to go into 2026 and think that I’m going to have enough time for it,” he explained.

The demands of racing have taken their toll on family time, with Button acknowledging the sacrifices made.

“My kids are four and six, and you’re away for a week and you miss so much — you don’t get this time back. I feel like I’ve missed a lot the last couple of years, which has been fine because I knew that would happen, but I’m not willing to do that again for another season.”

Whilst Button’s professional racing days are ending, he intends to remain active behind the wheel through his collection of classic cars.

“I’ve got classic cars I love to race, and for me that’s exciting because it’s mine — a car that I own — and I love the mechanical aspect,” Button revealed.

Jenson Button became world champion in 2009 to become a British racing legend

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The veteran racer expressed enthusiasm for the more hands-on nature of vintage motorsport.

“It’s very different to the cars I race in WEC and F1. You’re really connected to it, which I love — having to heel and toe, getting the gear shift just right, no aero, it’s all mechanical.”

These recreational outings could potentially include appearances at events such as the Goodwood Revival or Festival of Speed.

Button’s illustrious racing career began in 2000 when he debuted with Williams aged just 20, becoming the youngest British driver in the team’s history.

His breakthrough arrived with BAR Honda in 2003, culminating in his maiden victory at the rain-soaked 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The pinnacle came in 2009 when Ross Brawn transformed the former Honda team into Brawn GP.

Button dominated early, winning six of the opening seven races to secure the world championship ahead of Sebastian Vettel.

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During his McLaren tenure from 2010 to 2016, Button claimed eight victories and notably outscored teammate Lewis Hamilton across their three seasons together.

Beyond Formula 1, he captured the 2018 Super GT title in Japan and currently serves as a Sky Sports F1 pundit.