close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Button withdraws from Le Mans with baby on the way

Photo: © LAT Images

Button withdraws from Le Mans with baby on the way

He announced he was expecting in Monday.

Jenson Button has withdrawn from his entry at the Le Mans 24 Hours, in order to spend more time with his pregnant girlfriend, and due to his team SMP Racing being unlikely to win. Button and Brittny Ward announced they were expecting their first child in January this year.

Button competed in four races for SMP last year, including Le Mans.

The 2009 world champion was crowned champion in Super GT last year, but finding similar success in the World Endurance Championship has proven more difficult as Toyota – Fernando Alonso's team are so dominant.

Button finished third alongside Mikhail Aleshin and Vitaly Petrov in Shanghai last year, but says focusing on his personal life is now more pressing.

Button said: "I really enjoyed driving for SMP Racing and was happy to be on the podium with this team, but I decided that now I need to spend more time at home with my fiancée during her pregnancy rather than two weeks at Le Mans.

"The decision has been made easier for me as I feel that the Toyota is currently unbeatable.”

Button will be replaced by Stoffel Vandoorne, the man who also filled his shoes at McLaren after he left F1.

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Drive to Survive star opens up on stroke battle: 'I had to relearn how to write'

F1 Drive to Survive star opens up on stroke battle: 'I had to relearn how to write'

  • Yesterday 22:42
F1 insider says Max Verstappen to Mercedes deal could fall apart due to Kimi Antonelli

F1 insider says Max Verstappen to Mercedes deal could fall apart due to Kimi Antonelli

  • Yesterday 21:55
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are not the problem at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are not the problem at Ferrari

  • Yesterday 20:54
Mercedes star George Russell put in his place over 'entitled' behaviour

Mercedes star George Russell put in his place over 'entitled' behaviour

  • Yesterday 19:57
Max Verstappen rivals given more power for Nurburgring race

Max Verstappen rivals given more power for Nurburgring race

  • Yesterday 18:54
Sky’s new F1 deal is great for the sport but not necessarily fans

Sky’s new F1 deal is great for the sport but not necessarily fans

  • Yesterday 17:42

Just in

10-5
F1 Drive to Survive star opens up on stroke battle: 'I had to relearn how to write'
10-5
F1 insider says Max Verstappen to Mercedes deal could fall apart due to Kimi Antonelli
10-5
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are not the problem at Ferrari
10-5
Mercedes star George Russell put in his place over 'entitled' behaviour
10-5
Max Verstappen rivals given more power for Nurburgring race
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 insider says Max Verstappen to Mercedes deal could fall apart due to Kimi Antonelli Max Verstappen

F1 insider says Max Verstappen to Mercedes deal could fall apart due to Kimi Antonelli

Yesterday 21:55
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are not the problem at Ferrari Ferrari F1

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are not the problem at Ferrari

Yesterday 20:54
Mercedes star George Russell put in his place over 'entitled' behaviour Latest F1 News

Mercedes star George Russell put in his place over 'entitled' behaviour

Yesterday 19:57
Sky’s new F1 deal is great for the sport but not necessarily fans Sky Sports F1

Sky’s new F1 deal is great for the sport but not necessarily fans

Yesterday 17:42
Ontdek het op Google Play
x