F1 Champion Jenson Button to Retire from Professional Racing After Bahrain WEC Race

Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 world champion, has announced he will conclude his professional racing career after the 8 Hours of Bahrain race next year. This event serves as the final round of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where Button currently competes for Cadillac Hertz Team Jota. The decision marks the end of a storied career that saw him reach the pinnacle of motorsport.

Why it matters:

• Jenson Button's retirement signifies the departure of another prominent F1 figure from active competition, closing a significant chapter in his diverse motorsport journey.
• His move reflects a growing trend among veteran drivers prioritizing family life over the demanding schedule of top-tier racing, highlighting the personal sacrifices involved in professional motorsport.

The Details:

• Final Race: Button's last professional outing will be the 8 Hours of Bahrain, the WEC season finale, scheduled for November 8.
• Current Competition: He currently races in the World Endurance Championship with Cadillac Hertz Team Jota, sitting ninth in the drivers' standings alongside teammates Sebastien Bourdais and Earl Bamber.
• F1 Career Highlights: Button, 45, made his F1 debut in 2000 and achieved 15 Grand Prix victories. His career pinnacle was the 2009 F1 World Championship with Brawn GP, a season often described as a 'fairy tale'.
• Last F1 Appearance: His final F1 race was a stand-in appearance for McLaren at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, replacing Fernando Alonso.
• Reason for Retirement: Button cited an increasingly busy personal life and the desire to spend more time with his young children (aged four and six) as primary motivators for his decision. He expressed that he was no longer willing to miss significant family moments due to racing commitments.

Between the lines:

Button's decision, while personal, underscores the rigorous demands placed on professional athletes, even those competing outside of Formula 1. The WEC calendar, while perhaps less intense than F1, still requires extensive travel and time away from home. His comments about not wanting to miss his children's formative years resonate with similar sentiments expressed by other retiring athletes.

What's next:

While his professional racing career is ending, Button has been a regular pundit for Sky F1 coverage in recent years, suggesting he will likely remain involved in motorsport in an analytical or media capacity. His insights and experience will undoubtedly continue to enrich F1 broadcasts, allowing fans to still connect with the champion.