Jenson Button, a name that resonates with speed, precision, and unwavering determination, stands as a true legend in the world of Formula 1 racing. Born in the picturesque town of Frome, Somerset, England, Button’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most successful racing drivers in history is an inspiring tale of passion, perseverance, and triumph.
In this article, we delve into the remarkable life and career of Jenson Button, tracing his path from a young karting enthusiast to a Formula 1 World Champion. With a focus on engaging storytelling and factual details, we explore Button’s upbringing, his entry into motorsport, his rise through different racing series, and his ultimate triumphs on the global stage of Formula 1.
Whether you’re a devoted motorsport fan, an aspiring racing driver, or simply someone who appreciates tales of extraordinary achievement, this article provides an in-depth exploration of Jenson Button’s journey, highlighting his key milestones, his greatest rivals, and his impressive Formula 1 statistics. Join us as we uncover the fascinating story behind this legendary figure and discover what sets Jenson Button apart in the annals of motorsport history.
From his roots in Frome, Somerset, to his pivotal role in the high-octane world of Formula 1, Jenson Button’s legacy is etched in the hearts of racing enthusiasts worldwide. Join us on this captivating journey as we pay tribute to the man who personifies speed, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the exhilarating world of Formula 1 racing.
Jenson Button Birthplace and Childhood
Jenson Alexander Lyons Button, (also known as JB), was born on 19 January 1980 in Frome, Somerset
Frome, a quaint market town nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset, served as the birthplace and childhood home of Jenson Button.
Growing up in this idyllic English countryside, Button’s fascination with speed began at an early age. He developed an insatiable appetite for karting and quickly displayed natural talent on the track, setting the stage for a remarkable journey in motorsport.
Where Did Jenson Button Receive His Education?
Button’s education was primarily focused on his passion for racing. His early years were dedicated to karting, honing his skills and gaining valuable experience in local and national competitions.
Button went to Vallis First School, Selwood Middle School and Frome Community College.
As his talent blossomed, formal education took a backseat to his racing aspirations. The result was that Jenson only achieved a single GCSE!
Despite this Button’s determination and single-minded focus on his craft played a crucial role in shaping his future.
How Tall is Jenson Button?
Button is 1,82m (6.97 feet) tall.
What Much Does Jenson Button Weigh?
When he was racing Jenson Button weighed in at 74.5 kilos with the driver’s kit. He used to struggle to meet the weight limit.
Jenson Button’s Parents
Jenson Button was born to John and Simone Button.
John, a successful rallycross driver, was a significant influence on his son’s racing ambitions.
He introduced Jenson to the world of motorsport and nurtured his passion, providing invaluable support throughout his career. His dad, John, says that Jenson was named after his Danish friend and rallycross opponent Erling Jensen
Jenson is the fourth child of the half-South African Simone Lyons
Simone, Jenson’s mother, played a vital role in guiding him through the challenges of the racing world, offering unwavering encouragement and emotional support.
After his parents sadly divorced when Jensen was seven, he and his three elder sisters moved in with hi mum in Frome.
Jenson Button’s Siblings
Button has two sisters, Natasha and Samantha. While they may not have pursued racing careers themselves, their presence was a constant source of love and support for Jenson.
The strong bond shared among the Button siblings created a supportive foundation that helped Jenson navigate the highs and lows of his racing journey.
Jenson Button Wife and Children
In 2014, Button tied the knot with Jessica Michibata, a Japanese-Argentinian model.
However, their marriage ended in 2016.
Jenson Button Girlfriend Engaged
In 2018 Button found love once again and married his current wife, Brittny Ward, an American model.
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Hendrix, in July 2019, and their second child, a daughter named Lenny Monrow, in December 2020.
How Did Jenson Button Get into Motor Racing?
Jenson Button’s love affair with motorsport began when he was just seven years old.
His dad gave him a 50cc motorbike for his 7th birthday.
Jenson Button – Karting
He chose not to continue on two wheels and so explored moving over to karting.
His father, John, introduced him to karting, and gave him a kart as a Christmas present in 1987. He began karting at the Clay Pigeon Raceway in May 1988
When he was 9 years old (1989) he won the British Super Prix. He moved up to club level. He won each of the 34 races of the 1991 British Cadet Kart Championship. This accomplishment also ensured that he won the drivers’ championship with team Wright Karts.
Although he won a further three championships his career went through a “dry spell” where he did not achieve much success. Jensen then embarked on an intensive fitness program and change of diet in an attempt to improve his competitiveness.
His karting career was crowned by the following achievements.
- 4th place in the 1994 RAC British Junior Championship
- The youngest runner-up of the Formula A World Championship at age 15
- 5th place in the 1996 European Formula A Championship
- Third in the Formula A World Cup.
- 3rd in the American Championship In 1997
- Button won the Ayrton Senna Memorial Cup for finishing second in the 1997 Japanese World Cup
- The youngest driver and first Briton to claim the European Super A Championship.
- Runner-up in the Winter Cup before the European Super A Championship.
Jenson Button – Racing Car Career
At 18 Jensen moved up to single seater car racing.
Jenson joined the Formula Ford series for the 1998 season. He won the British Formula Ford Championship by winning 9 races including the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch.
He also was the runner up in the European Formula Ford Championship. Jenson achieved a list of impressive wind and records.
At the end of 1998, Jensen won the annual Autosport BRDC Award. One of the prizes for this achievement was a test in a McLaren MP4/14 F1 car.
How Did Jenson Button Get into F1?
Jenson drive the test in November 1999 at Silverstone. The results were good, and he impressed McLaren team principal Ron Dennis.
Jenson Button WIlliams
In 1999, one of the driver seats became available at the Williams team. He did not hold the required Super license needed to drive in F1.
FIA president Max Mosley insisted that Jenson complete 300 km (190 mi) on two consecutive days of testing. He also required Jenson’s support to increase the number of members from 18 of the 26 members of the F1 Commission – POLITICS ruled!
Button made his Formula 1 debut with the Williams team, filling the shoes of the retiring Alexander Wurz.
He finished 6th in the season’s second race in Brazil. This made him the youngest driver in history to score in F1.
Jenson Button Honda (2006-2008)
Button joined Honda in 2006 and remained there until 2008 when it was purchased by Brawn.
Jenson Button Brawn (2009)
Button remained with the new Brawn team. He won the world rivers championship in 2009.
Jenson Button Mclaren
Jenson joined McLaren in 2010 and remained there until 2017. His time there was a mix of successes and failures. Unfortunately, there were no more championship wins, although he came close in 2010 and 2011 when he finished 5th and 2nd respectively.
When Did Jenson Button Win the Formula 1 World Championship?
Jenson Button’s crowning achievement in Formula 1 came in 2009 when he won the Formula 1 World Championship with the Brawn GP team.
It was a fairytale season for Button, who showcased exceptional consistency and skill throughout the year. His triumph was a testament to his unwavering determination and the ability to seize opportunities when they arose.
Jenson Button’s Biggest Rivals in Formula One
Throughout his Formula 1 career, Jenson Button faced formidable rivals on the track.
One of his most notable rivals was his McLaren teammate, Lewis Hamilton. The two drivers engaged in fierce battles, pushing each other to their limits and captivating fans around the world.
Other rivals included Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Michael Schumacher, among others.
Jenson Button’s Formula 1 Statistics
He competed in 306 races, securing 15 pole positions and 50 podium finishes.
Button won 15 races.
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | Podiums | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Formula Ford | Haywood | 15 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 1st |
| Formula Ford Festival | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1st | ||
| 1999 | Formula 3 | Promatecme | 16 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3rd |
| Macau GP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2nd | ||
| Masters of F3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5th | ||
| Korea Super Prix | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2nd | ||
| Spa 24 Hours | BMW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| 2000 | F1 | WilliamsF1 Team | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8th |
| 2001 | Benetton | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17th | |
| 2002 | Renault | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7th | |
| 2003 | Honda | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9th | |
| 2004 | Honda | 18 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3rd | |
| 2005 | Honda | 16 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 9th | |
| 2006 | Honda | 18 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6th | |
| 2007 | Honda | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15th | |
| 2008 | Honda | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18th | |
| 2009 | Brawn | 17 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 1st | |
| 2010 | McLaren | 19 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5th | |
| 2011 | McLaren | 19 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 2nd | |
| 2012 | McLaren | 20 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5th | |
| 2013 | McLaren | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9th | |
| 2014 | McLaren | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8th | |
| 2015 | McLaren | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16th | |
| 2016 | McLaren | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15th | |
| 2017 | McLaren | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| Super GT | Mugen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC | |
| 2018 | Super GT | Kunimitsu | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1st |
| Le Mans | SMP | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DNF | |
| 2018–19 | FIA Endurance | SMP | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15th |
| 2019 | Super GT | Kunimitsu | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8th |
| Deutsche Tourenwagen | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† | ||
| 2020 | British GT | Jenson Team | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† |
| 2021 | Extreme E | JBXE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12th |
| 2022–23 | Nitro Rallycross | Xite | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17th |
| 2023 | NASCAR | Rick Ware | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37th* |
Jenson Button’s Greatest Achievements
Beyond his Formula 1 World Championship, Jenson Button’s career boasts several other notable achievements.
He holds the record for the longest consecutive run of Grand Prix finishes, spanning 2004 to 2012.
Additionally, Button’s versatility shone through when he contested the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018, finishing in an impressive ninth place overall.
Jenson Button – Career After F1
After Jenson Button retired from F1, he became champion of the 2018 season of the Super GT Series. He raced next to Naoki Yamamoto.
They shared a Honda racing car at Team Kunimitsu.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to motorsport.
Frome. his hometown has named a street and a footbridge after him. He was also awarded the freedom of the town.
In December 2016 Jenson was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering from the University of Bath. He has authored five books about his life and career.
Jenson Button Net Worth
Jenson Button is reputed to be worth $150 Million. He now serves as a TV commentator and adviser to the Williams racing team.
Jenson Button Age
In 2023 Button is 43 years old.
Jenson Button Height
Button is 1,82m (6.97 feet) tall.
What is Jenson Button’s Weigh?
When he was racing Jenson Button weighed in at 74.5 kilos with the driver’s kit. He used to struggle to meet the weight limit.
Jenson Button Book
Jenson has written five books. Two of the most successful are.
His autobiography “Jenson Button: Life to the Limit: My Autobiography”. Jenson spent seventeen years racing in F1 and he experienced everything in the sport. He nursed underpowered cars around the track and won the World Championships.
Jenson tells his full story for the first time in his own honest, intelligent and eloquent style.
Jenson’s second book is titled “How to Be an F1 Driver – My Guide to Life in the Fast Lane”. This is a book studying the life lessons that he learnt as a motor racing driver.
Conclusion
Jenson Button’s journey from a small town in Somerset to the pinnacle of motorsport is a testament to his unwavering dedication, skill, and determination.
Through his remarkable career, Button captivated fans worldwide with his speed, precision, and tenacity.
As a Formula 1 World Champion and a respected figure in the racing community, Jenson Button has left an indelible mark on the sport, solidifying his place among the all-time greats.
