Motorsport

Jenson Button: Ex-F1 champion hints at 2018 switch to Super GT

By Christina Macfarlane and Matthew Knight, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 10:53 AM EDT, Thu October 19, 2017
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 18: Jenson Button of Great Britain and Brawn GP prepares to drive during the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit on October 18, 2009 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Jenson Button: Japan's Super GT in my future
03:19 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Jenson Button says there's a "good chance" he will compete in Super GT in 2018

The 2009 F1 world champion retired last year but has "got the racing bug back"

CNN  — 

Japanese motorsport fans – get ready to see a lot more of Jenson Button.

The 2009 Formula One world champion has revealed there’s a “good chance” of him competing in the Super GT series in 2018.

The 37-year-old retired from F1 last season after 17 seasons in the sport although he did make a one-off appearance at May’s Monaco Grand Prix when he stood in for Fernando Alonso who raced at the Indy 500.

But Button says he is now ready to make a full-time return to the track.

Jenson Button’s F1 career (2000-2017)

  • 306 GP starts
  • 8 poles
  • 50 podiums
  • 15 wins
  • 1 world championship

    “This year has been really good for me because I’ve been able to reflect on everything and I’ve really got that love of racing back, I’ve got that bug,” Button told CNN’s World Sport.

    “I did a race in August in Japan in a race category called Super GT – it’s the three big manufacturers in Japan – and I absolutely loved it.

    READ: Alonso praises US sports fans

    “That racing bug was back and I had the biggest smile on my face, so there’s a good chance I could be racing in Super GT in Japan next year.”

    Jenson Button is one of the most popular F1 drivers of the modern era.
    Jenson Button is one of the most popular F1 drivers of the modern era.
    AFP/Getty Images
    The Briton made his F1 debut for Williams Racing back in 2000 (pictured) before retiring from full-time racing in 2016.
    The Briton made his F1 debut for Williams Racing back in 2000 (pictured) before retiring from full-time racing in 2016.
    AFP/Getty Images
    Button raced more than 300 times in F1. His first race win came in his 113th start at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. Here he is celebrating the victory win his dad, John at the Hungaroring.
    Button raced more than 300 times in F1. His first race win came in his 113th start at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. Here he is celebrating the victory win his dad, John at the Hungaroring.
    AFP/Getty Images
    Button joined the Brawn GP team in 2009 in a move that would change his life forever. The Briton won six races during the 2009 season propelling him to his first and only F1 world title.
    Button joined the Brawn GP team in 2009 in a move that would change his life forever. The Briton won six races during the 2009 season propelling him to his first and only F1 world title.
    AFP/Getty Images
    Button switched to McLaren in 2010, partnering Lewis Hamilton who he shared a fierce rivalry. "We were both world champions -- the last two world champions, we are in the same team, and it was a British team," Button told CNN World Sport. "You want to beat your teammate, he's the first guy you have to beat in this sport."
    Button switched to McLaren in 2010, partnering Lewis Hamilton who he shared a fierce rivalry. "We were both world champions -- the last two world champions, we are in the same team, and it was a British team," Button told CNN World Sport. "You want to beat your teammate, he's the first guy you have to beat in this sport."
    Clive Mason/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
    Button would finish his career with McLaren, partnering Fernando Alonso (right) for two seasons before announcing his retirement in 2016.
    Button would finish his career with McLaren, partnering Fernando Alonso (right) for two seasons before announcing his retirement in 2016.
    AFP/Getty Images
    Button on track for McLaren at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
    Button on track for McLaren at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
    AFP/Getty Images
    Button, who recently published his autobiography, "Life to the Limit," pays tribute to his late father, John in his new book. "I was lucky enough to get a gift that most kids would dream of which was a kart when I was seven years old. All through my career he's been there. I could bounce things off of him or If I'm not happy about something or I feel I'm missing something he was always there for support," Button told CNN.
    Button, who recently published his autobiography, "Life to the Limit," pays tribute to his late father, John in his new book. "I was lucky enough to get a gift that most kids would dream of which was a kart when I was seven years old. All through my career he's been there. I could bounce things off of him or If I'm not happy about something or I feel I'm missing something he was always there for support," Button told CNN.
    VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
    Jenson Button: Life in the fast lane

    Button, who finished 12th in his Super GT debut at the Suzuka 1,000km, confessed that F1 hadn’t been the same for him since his father, John, died in 2014 at the age of 70.

    “We all lose people and it hurts and you never really get over it and you learn to live with it,” he said.

    “Since his death my career in Formula One was very different, it felt very hollow racing. F1 had always been with my dad so suddenly with him gone it completely changed my view of the sport.”

    SHANGHAI, CHINA - APRIL 18: Race winner Jenson Button (R) of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes is congratulated on the podium by second placed team mate Lewis Hamilton (L) of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes following the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 18, 2010 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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    Jenson Button: 'Weird' moments with Hamilton
    06:01 - Source: CNN

    Button talks candidly about the relationship with his father in his new autobiography “Life to the Limit” paying a heartfelt tribute to the man who was part-coach, part-confidant, part buddy.

    “I wouldn’t have been racing if it wasn’t for him,” Button said.

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    “I was lucky enough to get a gift that most kids would dream of which was a kart when I was seven years old. All through my career he’s been there. I could bounce things off of him or, If I’m not happy about something or I feel I’m missing something he was always there for support.

    “We got to F1 and he took a step back. He always watched over me. He was a piece of the furniture in F1.”

    Button began his F1 career at Williams in 2000 and raced a total of 306 times – the same number of starts as Michael Schumacher and only 16 behind all-time record holder Rubens Barrichello.

    He was always considered one of F1’s smoothest drivers on and off the track, and confesses to not always applying himself – Flavio Briatore, his boss at the Benetton team, once described him as a “lazy playboy.”

    “I was 20 years old and I struggled with the pressure,” Button says of his early F1 years.

    “I thought my natural ability was enough to succeed which it isn’t, in any sport. You’ve got to work at it. But I soon realized after Flavio comments that I needed to work harder.”