Jenson Button Closes Professional Racing Chapter, Shifts Focus to 'Racing for Fun' in 2026

Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has confirmed he will not be racing professionally from 2026, marking the end of his top-level motorsport career. After completing his commitments with the World Endurance Championship and Jota’s Cadillac program, Button will transition to racing purely for enjoyment, primarily in historic events. This move signals a definitive shift from the pressures of professional competition to the simple thrill of driving.

Why it matters:

Jenson Button's decision to step away from professional racing closes a significant chapter in motorsport, especially for fans who have followed his diverse post-F1 career. His shift to 'racing for fun' highlights a common trajectory for seasoned champions—prioritizing passion and enjoyment over intense competition and complex modern machinery. This also provides clarity on his future, ending speculation about potential returns to high-stakes endurance events.

The Details:

• WEC Departure: Button has enjoyed his time in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class but finds the complexity of modern hypercars challenging for one-off appearances, such as the Le Mans 24 Hours. He emphasized that sustained involvement is necessary to master current systems, a task that becomes more demanding at 44 years of age.
• Professional Retirement: Clarifying previous statements, Button explicitly stated, "I will not be racing professionally" from 2026, emphasizing his new mantra: "racing for fun."
• Historic Racing Focus: His primary focus will be on historic racing, an area he deeply appreciates due to its timeless appeal and mechanical simplicity. He has expanded his personal collection to include a Jaguar E-type, a C-type once owned by Juan Manuel Fangio, and an Alfa Romeo GT Junior.
• Goodwood Success: Button recently achieved a victory in the RAC TT Celebration at the Goodwood Revival, sharing the C-type with Alex Buncombe.
• NASCAR as an Exception: While ruling out top-class endurance racing, Button hinted that NASCAR could be an occasional modern challenge due to its simpler, more mechanical nature compared to Hypercars. He believes he could "jump in and feel what the car is doing" without complex electronic systems.

What's next:

Button's transition promises a future where his love for driving remains vibrant, even if the stakes are lower. His engagement in historic racing, combined with potential selective appearances in simpler modern series like NASCAR, ensures fans can still see the F1 legend in action. This new chapter allows him to enjoy motorsport on his own terms, free from the demands of a full professional schedule, ensuring his passion for cars continues in a more relaxed and personal setting.