Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 world champion, has ruled out a return to F1 with Mercedes for the 2025 season following Lewis Hamilton‘s departure to Ferrari, opting instead to continue his career in the World Endurance Championship and fulfill his roles as a Senior Advisor for Williams and a pundit for Sky Sports F1.
Highlights
‣ Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, has ruled out a return to Formula 1 with Mercedes for the 2025 season, despite the vacancy left by Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari.
‣ Button is currently engaged in the World Endurance Championship and has expressed contentment with his racing career outside of Formula 1, citing the challenges of readjusting to the demands of F1 racing at his age.
‣ Throughout his Formula 1 career from 2000-2017, Button achieved 15 wins and 50 podiums over 306 race starts, with his most notable achievement being the 2009 World Championship with Brawn GP.
‣ Besides his racing career, Button is actively involved in motorsports as a Senior Advisor for Williams and serves as a pundit for Sky Sports F1, while also competing full-time in the World Endurance Championship with Hertz Team Jota.
Jenson Button, the 2009 world champ, made it clear. He’s not hitting up Toto Wolff for a spot at Mercedes in 2025. Why? Because Lewis Hamilton’s off to Ferrari. Button’s got his hands full with the World Endurance Championship. So, a Formula 1 comeback? Not happening for the 44-year-old.
Mercedes? They’re scrambling for a driver. Hamilton’s departure for Ferrari in 2025 left a big gap. Names like Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are buzzing around. But Button? He’s not even tossing his hat in the ring.
On the Sky Sports F1 podcast, Button was pretty straightforward. “I’ve had my time,” he said. Formula 1 was a chapter. Now, he’s all about racing… just not in the F1 circus.
“17 years in F1,” Button reminisced. The cars he races now? Quick, but not F1 quick. And getting back to F1 speed? That’s a tall order. “Lovely thought, but no,” he concluded. F1’s in his rearview.
Button’s F1 journey was epic. From 2000 to 2017, he raced for teams like Williams and McLaren. 306 races, 15 wins, and 50 podiums. His last victory wave? The 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix with McLaren.
2009 was Button’s year. Six wins in the first seven races with Brawn GP. That double diffuser magic worked wonders. He clinched the title with a race to spare. Then, off to McLaren he went, as Mercedes took over Brawn.
Retirement came in 2016. But wait, there’s more. 2017 saw Button back at Monaco, filling in for Fernando Alonso. A crash with Pascal Wehrlein ended that brief return.
So, what’s Button up to now? He’s racing full-time in the World Endurance Championship. Teaming up with Philip Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen at Hertz Team Jota. Their record? 16th overall after two races. Endurance racing’s his new thrill, especially after tackling the 24 hours of Le Mans in a souped-up NASCAR in 2023.
Button’s also lending his expertise to Williams as a Senior Advisor. Plus, he’s sharing insights as a pundit for Sky Sports F1. Life’s busy, just not with Formula 1.
