Jenson Button has officially announced his retirement from the world of motorsport. The former world champion will participate in his final race at the Eight Hours of Bahrain in early November before bidding farewell to his racing career.
Button concluded his Formula 1 journey in 2016 but made a brief return with McLaren at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix. Since then, the driver from Somerset has ventured into various racing categories, including the NASCAR Cup Series and the World Endurance Championship.
At 45 years old, Button, who currently works as a pundit on Sky Sports F1, disclosed earlier in July that he would be stepping back from full-time racing and parting ways with Jota Cadillac. He has now confirmed that he is nearing the end of his racing days.
“This upcoming race will mark the end of my professional racing career. Bahrain has always been a track I’ve enjoyed, and I intend to savor every moment of it,” Button shared with BBC Radio Somerset.
Expressing the reasons for his decision, Button mentioned, “I’ve cherished my time with Jota in WEC, but with my increasingly busy life, it wouldn’t be fair to the team or myself to commit to another full season in 2026.”
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Despite facing challenges at the beginning of the season in Qatar and Imola, Button’s team showed resilience with notable performances at Spa and Le Mans before securing their only podium finish of the year in Sao Paulo.
Teamed up with Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais, Button is determined to lead Cadillac to victory in the American Manufacturers’ Championship battle against Porsche. Heading into the final round in Bahrain, Button’s team trails their German rivals by 22 points.
“We are still in contention for the Constructors’ Championship. While winning is a tough task, achieving second place is within reach,” Button remarked after his retirement announcement. “There is much to anticipate in Bahrain, and as it marks my final race, I plan to make the most of it on the track I’ve always enjoyed.”
