Three-time NASCAR Cup Series driver announces RETIREMENT plans

F1 champion Jenson Button preparing to race in the NASCAR Cup Series — Photo: © IMAGO

Legends

Three-time NASCAR Cup Series driver announces RETIREMENT plans

The former F1 champion tried his hand at stock car racing during a fine career

Originally written by Sam Cook. This version is a translation.

Wednesday 18 June 2025 03:00

A former world champion who also raced in the NASCAR Cup Series on three occasions has revealed he plans to step back from full-time racing.

Jenson Button won the 2009 Formula 1 world championship with underdogs Brawn GP before retiring from the sport in 2016, prompting him to try a whole host of new racing series, including NASCAR.

The British racer appeared once more in Fernando Alonso who was busy competing in the Indy 500, which clashed with the Monaco GP that season.

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Button then headed stateside to try his hand at stock car racing, making three appearances in the Cup Series in 2023 at COTA, the Chicago Street Course, and the road course at Indianapolis.

His best result came at his debut in Austin, where he managed to finish 18th ahead of fellow F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen.

"I’ve got so many things going on and I just can’t fit it all in. You know, I’ve had a fun career and hopefully the next five races this year are going to be awesome and we’re going to end on a high."

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F1 champion's career drawing to a close

The 2009 F1 champion is still a full-time racer at the age of 45 and competes in some very demanding events across the globe.

The Brit will go down as a racing legend, not just because of his drivers' title and 15 F1 race victories, but also because of his enthusiasm when throwing himself into a variety of other racing series, including IMSA and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Button raced in the standout race of the latter's calendar last weekend at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race with the Cadillac Hertz Team Jota outfit.

It was his fourth attempt at claiming the second leg of motorsport's illustrious triple crown, but Button once again fell short alongside Sebastien Bourdais and Earl Bamber, finishing eighth having started the race up in second (although the team have now been boosted up to seventh after a late disqualification for Ferrari).

Button also won the Super GT - GT500 championship in 2018, and has claimed podiums in the WEC and IMSA Sportscar Championship.

His brief stint in NASCAR also showcased just how multi-talented he is as a racer, with his determination to keep on racing clear despite recently admitting that full-time racing may no longer be an option for him.

"It’s very unlikely I’ll do a full season next year just because of timing," Button continued. "I definitely want to be racing in certain things here and there. I just can’t put as much time as needed to one side for racing. You know, kids and life, it’s too busy this year."

NASCAR F1 Fernando Alonso Indy 500 Jenson Button