30 September 2023 , 07:46
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Jenson Button has his sights set on a full-time return to motor racing as he eyes a sportscar drive for 2024.
The former McLaren driver, who won the F1 world title in 2009 with Brawn, has tried his hand at a host of different series since racing for the final time in F1 back in 2017. He's participated in the World Endurance Championship, Le Mans, Super GT, DTM and NASCAR.
Now he is looking to debut in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, racing for JDC-Miller MotorSports in the 26th staging of the Motul Petit Le Mans on October 14 - which he hopes can become a long-term project with the 43-year-old adamant he has plenty to offer.
Button said on his plans: “There are a few very good options." He then added: “Endurance is the place I want to be. Multiclass racing throws something else into the mix with traffic. There’s always a lot more action because of it. The way IMSA is run, you don’t know who is going to win until after the last safety car, basically. Endurance racing is where it’s at.”
The IMSA website claims Button is looking to bag himself a full-time drive in 2024 with a view to extending in 2025. Going from F1 to sportscar racing is a relatively common route and a host of drivers who used to be on the grid have extended their careers in other formulas.
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Button's former team-mate Fernando Alonso is currently showing how age is no barrier to performing at the top level. The Spaniard returned to F1 several years ago with Alpine but this year moved to Aston Martin, where he's recorded seven podiums, leaving him fourth in the standings.
Fernando Alonso is still performing into his 40s (Michael Potts/BSR Agency/Getty Images)He's been in the mix for race wins this season with his package particularly competitive towards the beginning of the year. Alonso is still exercising the enthusiasm of youth and Button has every intention of following his lead, insisting he feels half his age.
The Brit said: “It never leaves you as a racing driver, that want for competition. As long as I still want to race and am still healthy and fit and my reactions are still there, there’s no reason to stop racing. When I get to a point where I’ve lost my edge, I won’t be doing so much serious racing.
"But for now, wow! I feel like I’ve got a lot of years ahead. I still feel like a 20-year-old when it comes to racing. I will race as long as I can.”