Former F1 champ Jenson Button set to make shocking return in 2024 WEC for Hertz Team JOTA after 7-year absence

A true underrated legend in the motorsports industry, Jenson Button reached the pinnacle of his career during the remarkable 2009 Formula One season. However, the subsequent years in Formula One did not unfold as triumphantly for the British racing icon. Despite the peak in 2009, Button faced a winless streak in the following seasons, leading to his decision to retire from the sport.

At the age of 43, Button chose to return to Formula One in the upcoming season once again. This unexpected twist has ignited anticipation and excitement among F1 enthusiasts.

Jenson Button returns to F1

Following his noteworthy performance in the Monaco Grand Prix as a temporary substitute for Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button has decided to make a full-time return to the driver’s seat in 2024. The Formula One star, with over 300 F1 races under his belt, including 15 victories and the 2009 world title, is set to embark on a new chapter in his racing career by joining the World Endurance Championship (WEC) hyper class.

Button has subsequently had brief stints in a number of racing categories, having last finished a full season in the Japan-based Super GT series in 2019. In the upcoming season, Button will join the Hertz team Jota in the WEC sharing the cockpit of one of the two Prsche 963s with fellow racer Philip Hanson and Danish driver Oliver Rasmussen.

This move presents Button the chance to take on some of the most renowned endurance races in motorsport, such as the esteemed 24 Hours of Le Mans. Moreover, the WEC Calendar will take him to well-known venues from his successful F1 career, including Imola, Spa, Interlagos, Austin, Fuji, and Sakhir.

The Hertz Team Jota Partnership is an exciting venture that offers Button the opportunity to showcase his skills in a new racing environment. He will also have the chance to revisit legendary circuits that have played a vital role in his Formula One career.

Jenson Button career highlights

Before moving on to other teams, Button began his Formula One career in 2000 with Williams. In the following year, he made a switch to Benetton, which later transformed into the Renault team in 2002. His journey continued with BAR in 2003, and he achieved a commendable third place in the 2004 World Drivers’ Championship. However, his misfortunes began in 2005, when he placed ninth in the championship.

His unwavering dedication paid off at the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2006, where he secured his first-ever Grand Prix win after an impressive 113 races. Considered the peak of his career, 2009 saw him achieve remarkable success with a record-equaling six wins in the first seven races. This outstanding performance ultimately led to him securing the World Drivers’ Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix. In addition, Brawn GP also managed to secure the Constructors’ Championship.

The British F1 journey spanned multiple teams, including Williams, Benetton/Renault, BAR/Honda, Brawn GP, and McLaren from 2000 to 2017. Post F1 he transitioned to Super GT, Clinching the championship in 2018. Beyond racing, Button also engaged in punditry for Sky Sports F1 and ventured into diverse racing series such as DTM, British GT, Extreme E(with his own team), the Nitro Rallycross Championship and the US-based IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Furthermore, the 43-year-old individual also participated in the 2023 Le Mans 24-hour race, where they drove a modified Chevrolet Cup Series car from NASCAR. Their entry fell under the “Garage 56” category, which is specifically designated for innovative designs.

Can Button regain his presence in the F1 industry? Let us know in the comment section below.