Button Recalls WEC Highlights Ahead of Final Race as Pro

Photo: Charly López/DPPI

Jenson Button says being part of a Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac 1-2 in Brazil this year is a highlight of his time in the FIA World Endurance Championship as he prepares to start his final race as a professional driver in Bahrain.

Button revealed in July that he would be stepping back from full-time competition at the end of the WEC season in order to spend more time with his family and focus on his other commitments.

The 2009 Formula 1 world champion says he is approaching the Bahrain eight-hour contest in the same way as any other race and is grateful to have been a part of a successful first year for Jota running the factory Cadillac V-Series.R machines.

“The two moments that really stand out, one would be Brazil because of getting a 1-2,” he said. “Our car wasn’t on the top step but I didn’t care, it was the atmosphere that we had.

“Getting a 1-2 in such a competitive championship with a car that was pretty new to JOTA was exceptional. I was really proud of the whole team.

“The other special moment in WEC would be the Garage 56 car [when Button was part of the lineup that raced a modified NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023], just because it was something no-one else got to do. It was such a cool project and something that won’t happen again, so it was very special.”

Although Button is stepping back from full-time competition, he still plans to tackle several races next year, predominantly in historic machinery at events such as the Goodwood Revival.

“I’m always going to love motor racing and I’m always going to want to drive cars,” he added. “I’m always going to drive cars, just not professionally. It will be more one-off races here and there and most of it will be in historic cars. Racing for fun is what I like.”

Before then, Button is determined to end his professional career with a strong result in Bahrain, but the No. 38 Cadillac he shares with Sebastien Bourdais and Earl Bamber is starting down in 14th.

Button said his emotions are “pretty normal” heading into the race because he had made the decision to step back several months ago.

“I’m sure when I get out of the car, it will be something very different,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting in the car, 70 more laps in the Cadillac is going to be very short but I will do my best to enjoy every single one of them.

“I’m looking forward to this last race and then, on Sunday, everything changes.

“To even be in with a shot of fighting for the WEC world championship as a team is mega in the team’s first year as a manufacturer. Fighting with Porsche and Ferrari, that’s just impressive.

“I definitely leave at a good point for this team, I wish them luck for next year and think they can fight for this world championship, which is awesome.

“It’s a nice way to end my professional racing career with a team I call family.”