Ex-Formula 1 Champion Jenson Button Returns to...

Ex-Formula 1 Champion Jenson Button Returns to… Racing in 2024 with…Read More

Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, is making a sensational return to full-time competitive racing in 2024 by joining the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in the prestigious hypercar class. This move marks a significant moment in Button’s illustrious motorsport career, as he partners with Hertz Team Jota, a highly regarded outfit in endurance racing, to pilot a Porsche 963. Button’s return has generated considerable excitement among fans and the motorsport community, eager to see how the veteran racer will fare in one of the most demanding disciplines in the sport.

Button’s decision to return to endurance racing is not entirely unexpected. Throughout his career, Button has demonstrated a passion for various forms of motorsport. After leaving Formula 1 in 2017, Button ventured into different racing series, including Super GT in Japan, where he clinched the 2018 championship. He also competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though his first foray into Le Mans was cut short due to technical issues. These experiences have laid a strong foundation for his latest endeavor in the hypercar class.

The hypercar category, introduced to the WEC in 2021, represents the pinnacle of endurance racing, featuring state-of-the-art technology and fierce competition from manufacturers like Toyota, Ferrari, and Peugeot. Button’s entry into this category is a testament to his enduring talent and desire to compete at the highest level. Racing alongside talented teammates Philip Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen, Button will be driving one of the most advanced machines on the grid, the Porsche 963, a car designed to push the boundaries of performance and endurance.

Endurance racing, particularly in the hypercar class, presents unique challenges that differ significantly from those in Formula 1. The races are longer, with events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans pushing both driver and machine to their limits. Button will need to draw upon all his experience, adaptability, and physical fitness to meet these challenges head-on. The team dynamic is also crucial in endurance racing, as success often hinges on seamless collaboration between drivers, engineers, and pit crews over grueling distances.

Button has acknowledged the steep learning curve ahead but is relishing the opportunity to test himself in a new environment. “Endurance racing is a completely different challenge to Formula 1, but it’s one I’m incredibly excited about. The hypercar class is where the future of motorsport lies, and to be a part of that is something special,” Button said in a recent interview. He also expressed confidence in his team, Hertz Team Jota, which has a strong track record in endurance racing, including multiple podium finishes at Le Mans

For Jenson Button, this move represents the beginning of a new chapter in a career that has spanned over two decades. From his early days in Formula 1, where he became one of the sport’s most respected drivers, to his ventures into other racing series, Button has consistently shown a willingness to embrace new challenges. His return to full-time racing in the WEC is a continuation of this trend, demonstrating his passion for motorsport and his desire to remain at the forefront of the racing world.

Fans and pundits alike are eager to see how Button will perform in the hypercar class. The 2024 WEC season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with a strong lineup of teams and drivers vying for supremacy. Button’s involvement adds an extra layer of intrigue, as he brings a wealth of experience, a championship-winning pedigree, and a competitive spirit that has made him one of the most beloved figures in motorsport.

As Button prepares for the upcoming season, the anticipation continues to build. His participation in the WEC’s hypercar class is not just a return to racing but a bold statement of his enduring commitment to motorsport. Whether he can add another chapter to his legacy by conquering the world of endurance racing remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Jenson Button is back, and the racing world is watching.