Button Joins JDC-Miller for Petit Le Mans

Jenson Button will make his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut at Motul Petit Le Mans as the third driver aboard JDC-Miller Motorsports’ Porsche 963.

The 2009 Formula 1 world champion will team up with full-season pairing Mike Rockenfeller and Tijmen van der Helm for the ten-hour enduro at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

It marks Button’s return to the cockpit of a top-class prototype for the first time since his involvement in the SMP Racing LMP1 program, where he drove the BR Engineering BR1 AER in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

“I’m very excited to announce that I will be racing at Petit Le Mans this year with 2021 Sebring winners JDC-Miller MotorSports,” Button said.

“Whilst I’m having a lot of fun cutting my teeth in the NASCAR Cup series this year, a prototype with high downforce is definitely more in my comfort zone!

“That said, the Porsche 963, the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, and Road Atlanta are all brand new to me so I can’t wait to tackle all three with my teammates for the weekend.

“I partnered with Rocky at Le Mans this year and he will be invaluable as he’s fantastic at car/team development. He is also incredibly quick which always helps!

“I’ll also have the pleasure of working with rookie Tijmen van der Helm who seems to really be gaining speed and confidence through the season so we should have a lot of fun.”

Button will be reunited with Le Mans teammate Rockenfeller at the WeatherTech Championship finale, as the two shared the cockpit of the NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at the French endurance classic earlier this year.

Team principal John Church said that the Minnesota-based team unsuccessfully tried to add the British driver to its lineup for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen in June.

“JDC-Miller Motorsports is honored to confirm that Jenson will be joining us for the final race of the season in our Porsche 963 at Road Atlanta,” said Church.

“The team had hoped to have him join Rocky and Tijmen at Watkins Glen but unfortunately that did not work out as the very busy Jenson had some TV commitments.

“His accomplishments speak for themselves. He and Rocky bonded through the extensive development of the Garage 56 Camaro.

“We are confident he will quickly integrate with the team and get up to speed with the 963.”