Button eyes Le Mans dream with Valkyrie amid Triple Crown talk

Jenson Button has openly expressed his desire to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans behind the wheel of the Aston Martin Valkyrie. The 2009 F1 champion and Aston Martin ambassador revealed the ambition in his latest column, calling it a chance to drive a car designed by legendary engineer Adrian Newey.

Why it matters:

Button's comments highlight the enduring allure of Le Mans for elite drivers, even those who have already conquered F1. They also underscore Aston Martin's growing involvement in top-level endurance racing, potentially creating a bridge between its F1 team and hypercar program.

The details:

• Button acknowledges the Triple Crown (Monaco GP, Indy 500, Le Mans) is out of reach for him, having only won Monaco. He has had two attempts at Le Mans without victory.
• He identifies Fernando Alonso as the best current chance to complete the Triple Crown, given Alonso's Monaco and Le Mans wins and his near miss at Indy.
• The Valkyrie hypercar, which features input from Adrian Newey, is the specific car Button dreams of driving at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
• Graham Hill remains the only driver ever to achieve the Triple Crown. Juan Pablo Montoya also has two legs, needing only Le Mans.

What's next:

Button leaves the door open: "Perhaps we can make it happen." With Aston Martin pushing its endurance program, a guest appearance for Button in the Valkyrie at Le Mans is not impossible. His role as brand ambassador makes it a plausible marketing and sporting move.