Jenson Button: Career, Retirement, and Life After F1

Jenson Button’s Formula One career is a study in persistence: a decade of near-misses before a single, definitive championship run in 2009. Since leaving F1, he has rebuilt himself as an entrepreneur, pundit, and off-road racer.

World Championships: 1 (2009) | Race Wins: 15 | Podiums: 50 | Grands Prix: 305 | Years Active: 2000–2017 | Date of Birth: 19 January 1980

The table below condenses Jenson Button’s core career data, drawn from official Formula One records and Wikipedia.

Why did Button leave F1?

Button announced his retirement from Formula One in September 2016, effective at the end of the 2016 season. In a Sky Sports interview, he said: “I’ve lost that desire to be in Formula One … I want to do other things with my life.” The decision was influenced by a growing lack of motivation and a wish to pursue new challenges.

“I’ve lost that desire to be in Formula One … I want to do other things with my life.”

When did Button announce his retirement from F1?

Button confirmed his retirement in a press release on 3 September 2016, before the Italian Grand Prix. He stated he would step away from full-time racing but remain as McLaren’s reserve driver for 2017.

What factors influenced his decision to leave?

Button cited a lack of performance from McLaren-Honda in the previous seasons and a desire to spend more time with his family. He also wanted to explore opportunities outside the F1 paddock.

Did Button retire from all racing or just Formula One?

Button retired only from full-time Formula One. He continued racing in other categories, including a part-time return to F1 at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix (deputising for Fernando Alonso), stints in Japan’s Super GT series with Honda, and the World Endurance Championship. His official F1 sabbatical was described by Formula1.com as “only a sabbatical” with an option to race again in 2018, though he never exercised it.

What is Jenson Button doing now?

Since stepping away from full-time F1 racing, Button has built a multifaceted post-F1 career. He co-founded Coachbuilt Whisky in 2020, created a blended Scotch whisky with a racing-inspired ethos. He also served as Chairman of the W Series, the all-female racing championship, until its administration in 2023. In media, he appears regularly as a pundit for Sky Sports F1 and has contributed to other broadcasters.

Business ventures and philanthropy: Button launched a triathlon event called Button’s Triathlon in 2022, has competed in off-road series like Extreme E, and remains involved with charity initiatives through his Jenson Button Trust.

The pattern: Button has transformed from full-time driver to motorsport entrepreneur, leveraging his profile for both profit and purpose.

How many times was Jenson Button world champion?

Button is a one-time Formula One World Champion, winning the title in 2009 with the Brawn GP team. That season he won six of the first seven races, capitalising on a double-diffuser advantage, before holding off teammate Rubens Barrichello and Sebastian Vettel in the closing rounds.

Which year did Button win the World Championship?

2009. The title was decided at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Button finished fifth – enough to clinch the championship with one race to spare.

How many race wins did he have in that season?

Button won six Grands Prix in 2009: Australia, Malaysia (rain-shortened), Bahrain, Spain, Monaco, and Turkey.

What team did he drive for when he won the title?

Brawn GP – a team formed from the remains of Honda’s F1 operation after Honda withdrew from the sport. The car, the BGP 001, was designed around Honda’s abandoned 2009 concept.

“It was a dream come true … The whole year felt like a fairy tale.”

Who is LGBTQ in F1?

As of 2025, no current Formula One driver is publicly openly LGBTQ. The sport has made progress in recent years with inclusion campaigns such as #WeRaceAsOne and partnerships with LGBTQ+ organisations. Several drivers – including Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Sebastian Vettel – have publicly voiced support for LGBTQ rights.

Are there any openly LGBTQ Formula One drivers?

No. Historically, there have been no openly LGBTQ drivers at F1 level. The series has acknowledged the need for greater diversity and inclusion.

What is F1’s official stance on LGBTQ inclusion?

Formula One Group has stated that it is committed to “diversity and inclusion for all” and partners with organisations like Stonewall. The #WeRaceAsOne initiative includes rainbow livery and support for LGBTQ fans.

How have drivers like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton expressed support?

Hamilton has frequently spoken out for LGBTQ rights, while Verstappen has said he supports everyone being themselves. Vettel has worn rainbow colours on race weekends.

Which F1 driver is least liked?

Popularity in Formula One is subjective. Jenson Button is generally regarded as one of the more likeable figures – his calm, understated personality earned him respect from fans and colleagues. Some drivers who have faced more public criticism include Nelson Piquet Jr. (for his role in Crashgate), Romain Grosjean (for on-track incidents), and Max Verstappen (polarised by his aggressive style).

Why do some drivers become unpopular among fans?

Causes include on-track controversies, off-track behaviour, perceived arrogance, or a clash of driving styles that leads to crashes. Social media sentiment can skew views.

What is Jenson Button’s reputation compared to other drivers?

Button is widely respected for his consistency, smooth technique, and professionalism. He has rarely been involved in major controversies, which helps his favourable public image.

Are there any metrics for driver popularity?

No official ranking exists. Fan surveys, social media engagement, and market research provide rough indicators but are not definitive.

Timeline: Jenson Button’s F1 Journey

Born in Frome, Somerset, in 1980, Button’s early karting success – winning all 34 races in British Cadet at age 11 – set the stage. He joined Williams for his F1 debut in 2000, at age 20. He moved to Benetton/Renault before joining BAR (later Honda) in 2003. His first podium came in 2004 (Malaysia), first win in 2006 (Hungary). The 2009 championship with Brawn GP was his peak. He then moved to McLaren (2010–2017), scoring his final win at Brazil 2012. After retirement, he returned for one last race at Monaco 2017, which ended in a collision.

• 1980: Born in Frome, Somerset, England
• 2000: F1 debut with Williams at Australian Grand Prix – Wikipedia
• 2006: First F1 victory – Hungarian Grand Prix with Honda – Honda Global
• 2009: Wins World Championship with Brawn GP – Formula1.com
• 2010–2017: Drives for McLaren; retires from F1 after 2016 but returns for 2017 Monaco GP
• 2018–present: Pursues business ventures, punditry, and off-road racing

Frequently Asked Questions

Jenson Button’s journey from karting prodigy to F1 champion to post-F1 entrepreneur illustrates a career driven by adaptability. The implication: his unruffled consistency not only delivered a world title but also positioned him for lasting influence beyond the cockpit.

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