Celebrity Fan Web – Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 world champion, has confirmed that his upcoming race in Bahrain will mark the end of his professional racing career. The 45-year-old British driver has been competing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the past two seasons with Team Jota. Button, who retired from Formula 1 in 2016 after a storied 18-year career with 306 race starts and 15 Grand Prix wins, is now ready to step away from the world of motorsport at the highest level.
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His decision to retire comes after years of competing in various disciplines, including endurance racing at Le Mans, supercars, Extreme E, and rallycross. Reflecting on his time in WEC, Button expressed his love for racing in Bahrain, calling the track “fun” and stating that he would savor every moment of his final race. However, he admitted that the demands of professional racing no longer fit into his lifestyle.
In a statement, Button revealed that the decision to retire was not difficult, primarily due to the time constraints imposed by his young family. “I don’t have the time to commit to another season in WEC,” Button said. “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 myself to continue into 2026.” Button’s young children, aged four and six, have been a significant factor in his decision, with the driver acknowledging that the time away from his family during race seasons has become increasingly difficult.
Looking Forward: Jenson Button’s Future in Motorsport
While Button is retiring from professional racing, he is not leaving the motorsport world entirely. The former F1 star revealed that he plans to continue racing for fun in classic cars. These vehicles, which he personally owns, offer a more personal and hands-on racing experience. “I love the mechanical aspect of racing in classic cars,” Button explained. “It’s very different from F1 or WEC; you’re really connected to the car.” Button enjoys the challenge of racing classic cars, with their manual gear shifts and lack of modern aerodynamics. For him, this provides a refreshing contrast to the high-tech, high-speed cars he has driven in Formula 1 and endurance racing.
Button’s love for classic racing is rooted in the connection he feels with the car. Unlike the highly engineered vehicles of F1 and WEC, classic cars offer a more tactile and mechanical driving experience, where the driver’s skills in shifting gears and controlling the car are paramount. Button seems excited to continue exploring this more intimate side of motorsport on his own terms.
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Though his professional racing career may be ending, Button’s passion for motorsport remains strong. He looks forward to selectively participating in races that bring him joy, without the pressure and commitments of a full racing schedule. As Button closes one chapter, he opens another, this time focused on enjoying racing as a personal pursuit rather than a career.