Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button has announced his intention to step away from full-time racing after the 2025 season. In a recent interview, Button cited the increasingly demanding schedule and the need to balance racing with his personal life as reasons for scaling back. At 45, the British driver feels the time is right to reduce his racing commitments, stating, “Something’s got to give,” and indicating he will not compete in a full season next year.
Button, who secured the F1 championship in 2009 with Brawn GP, retired from Formula 1 in 2016 but never fully left the racing world. He briefly returned in 2017 to substitute for Fernando Alonso at McLaren and has since taken part in a wide variety of motorsport series. From Japan’s Super GT—where he clinched a championship—to endurance events and even NASCAR, Button has showcased his broad racing talents across multiple disciplines.
Most recently, Button competed in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the Cadillac Hertz Team Jota. Although he and teammates Sébastien Bourdais and Earl Bamber began the race from the front row, they finished in eighth place. Despite not yet conquering Le Mans, Button’s ambition for motorsport’s “Triple Crown” remains, though his focus is shifting toward more selective participation in events moving forward.
The decision to step back comes as Button finds it increasingly difficult to juggle his time between racing, family, and media obligations. He explained that he still intends to compete in select races but cannot commit the time required for a full season. Family life, media work, and personal ventures have taken priority, especially with how packed his current calendar has become.
Despite easing out of full-time racing, Button’s impact on motorsport remains significant. Beyond his 15 Grand Prix wins and world title, his forays into endurance and stock car racing have highlighted his adaptability. He continues to appear regularly as a Sky Sports F1 pundit, providing expert analysis during race weekends. With five more races to go in 2025, Button hopes to end this chapter of his career on a high note, promising fans that while his schedule may lighten, his passion for racing endures.
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