Button “Much Closer” to Full-Time WEC Hypercar Drive

Photo: Porsche

Jenson Button says he’s “much closer” to securing a full-time FIA World Endurance Championship drive in the Hypercar class next year, stating that he should have an answer in the “next few weeks.”

The 2009 Formula 1 world champion, who is getting his first laps with Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti’s Acura ARX-06 this week ahead of his Rolex 24 at Daytona debut, revealed that progress has been made since making his first start in LMDh machinery in October’s Motul Petit Le Mans.

Button is understood to be in the frame for a seat with Hertz Team JOTA, which is expanding into a two-car Porsche 963 customer operation in the globe-trotting championship.

His name was linked to the British squad by multiple media reports in recent months that also included fellow ex-F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.

“I’m much closer,” Button told Sportscar365 on his WEC prospects for 2024, while declining to name a team.

“In the next few weeks it shall either be a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’. I just have to make sure it’s the right thing first for me to do.”

Button said the eight-round calendar, which kicks off in Qatar in early March, fits within his schedule that already includes his outing with WTR Andretti at Daytona in January.

“It does, luckily,” he said. “Hopefully it will work out and it will be good.

“The idea is that I’d do eight races and obviously the highlight being Le Mans.”

Button made his second career 24 Hours of Le Mans start this year as part of the NASCAR Garage 56 effort, where he teamed with Mike Rockenfeller and Jimmie Johnson in a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 stock car.

“I’d love to do that again. It was so much fun with the Garage 56 car,” he said.

“To go there with a competitive car with a competitive field of cars… I don’t know how many [Hypercars] are going to go to Le Mans, I don’t know how many come from IMSA.

“Being part of that is pretty special. It’s a pretty special time in endurance racing in America and also in Europe. It’s nice to be a part of it.”

Acura ARX-06 “Fun to Drive” in First Prototype Impressions at Daytona

Button turned his first laps in Acura’s LMDh car in Wednesday’s opening day of the IMSA-sanctioned test ahead of next month’s Rolex 24 where he will team with Jordan Taylor, Louis Deletraz and Colton Herta in WTR Andretti entry.

“It felt good,” he said. “It always takes a little bit of time. I’ve only driven this circuit in the Garage 56 car, so it’s a bit of a shock.

“It took a while to get used to but once you understand the car, which I’m still nowhere near understanding it, it’s fun to drive.

“There’s a lot of work to do to really feel comfortable in it. We always talk about how many switches there are. For me, I just wanted to get in and drive, which is what I did. We did a few adjustments.

“It’s always interesting working with different drivers as well because you get all of the feedback from them and you understand their style of driving. We’re all a little different.

“It’s good to hear their comments are very similar. We all have a similar feel and have a good understanding of where we need to take the car.

“It’s enjoyable. There’s always going to be certain things you need to improve on. I just hope I get enough time.

“I did a long run, which was nice but still there’s so much more to pick up. I feel comfortable in the car and I look forward to working with these guys to improve it.

“For me, it’s just a lovely opportunity. I’ve always wanted to race at the Rolex 24 and with a team like Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti, it’s pretty special.

“I feel very privileged and I’m going to do the best job I can do for the team.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John