Jenson Button: F1 Champion, Net Worth, and Current Projects

Few drivers have managed the post-F1 transition as smoothly as Jenson Button. The 2009 world champion didn’t just retire — he traded the cockpit of a McLaren for a very different kind of racing in Japan’s Super GT series, and along the way built a second career as a commentator, team owner, and global ambassador.

World Championships: 1 (2009) ·
Race Wins: 15 ·
Podiums: 50 ·
Years Active in F1: 2000–2017 ·
Current Role: Super GT driver, F1 commentator, team owner

Eight key facts about Button, one pattern: his career spans two distinct eras — a world‑championship peak in F1 followed by a sustained, multi‑channel second act in Japan and endurance racing.

What is Jenson Button doing now?

Super GT and endurance racing

• Button has been a regular in Japan’s Super GT series since 2018, driving for Team Kunimitsu with Honda. He won the championship in his debut season (FIA WEC YouTube – Button interview).
• In a 2025 interview, Button described his Super GT years as “a period he loved because of the cars and team atmosphere” (GPFans – first‑person account).
• For 2025, he is also confirmed as a driver for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar class (Wikipedia – 2025 seat).

Commentary and media appearances

• Button works as a commentator for Sky Sports F1, providing analysis during race weekends (RacingNews365 – broadcasting role).
• He also appears on other motorsport media, including extended Super GT highlight shows (Super GT World – highlights show).

Team ownership and other ventures

• Button is co‑owner of the Jenson Button Racing Team, which supports emerging drivers and competes in various series. Public details of this ownership are limited.
• He maintains several business interests and charity commitments, including environmental and youth‑focused initiatives (Crash.net – business and charity).

The pattern: Button hasn’t retired so much as shifted his racing focus. His current portfolio — Super GT, WEC, media, and team ownership — reflects a deliberate move toward variety and longevity rather than a single top‑series commitment.

Why did Button retire from F1?

Lack of competitive opportunities

• Button announced his retirement from Formula One at the end of the 2017 season, after a stint at McLaren where the team struggled for performance (FIA WEC YouTube – retirement announcement).
• He stated he felt it was the right time to step away and explore other challenges (GPFans – personal motivation).

Focus on diverse racing series

• Button wanted to race in series that offered a different kind of thrill, particularly Super GT, where he could drive cars with distinct characteristics and compete in a championship with close racing.

Personal reasons

• After 17 years in F1, Button wanted more time for family and personal interests. His son was born in 2019, and he has spoken about the importance of being present for his family.

What this means: Button’s departure from F1 wasn’t prompted by a decline in skill — it was an active choice to trade the intense, single‑minded world of Formula One for a more varied motorsport life that still keeps him behind the wheel.

How many times was Jenson Button world champion?

The 2009 championship with Brawn GP

• Button won the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship once, in 2009, driving for the Brawn GP team (Wikipedia – 2009 championship).
• He secured six race wins that season and clinched the title at the Brazilian Grand Prix (Wikipedia – 2009 season details).

Other close calls

• Button finished runner-up in the drivers’ standings in 2011 (driving for McLaren) and third in 2012, but never won another championship (Crash.net – career summary).

Legacy

• Despite only one title, Button is widely regarded as one of the most complete drivers of his generation, especially noted for his smooth driving style and ability to manage tyre degradation.

The catch: One world title doesn’t fully capture Button’s consistency — he outscored every teammate except Lewis Hamilton over his career, and his 2011 runner‑up season featured three wins and a fierce battle with Sebastian Vettel.

What is Jenson Button’s net worth?

Career earnings

• Button earned approximately $16 million per year during his peak McLaren contract (RacingNews365 – salary estimate).
• His total race earnings from F1 are estimated to exceed $150 million before taxes (GPFans – cumulative estimate).

Endorsements and investments

• Button has had sponsorship deals with brands like Hugo Boss, and he continues to earn from personal appearances and social media partnerships.

Current net worth estimates

• Most 2025 profiles place Button’s net worth around $150 million, though figures range from £117 million (about $148 million) to $170 million depending on the source (Crash.net – £117 million; GPFans – $150–170 million range).
• A 2025 ranking from CEOWORLD also puts him at $150 million, but that source should be treated with caution given its aggregated methodology (CEOWORLD (business ranking list) – speculative figure).

The trade-off: Net worth estimates for retired F1 drivers are inherently fuzzy because they depend on unverified investment returns and fluctuating endorsements. What’s clear is that Button’s earnings from F1 alone put him among the sport’s top earners, and his post‑retirement income from racing, commentary, and team ownership continues to add to that wealth.

Who is Jenson Button’s wife?

Brittany Ward

• Button married American model Brittany Ward in December 2014 in a private ceremony in Maui, Hawaii.

Marriage and family

• The couple have a son, born in 2019 (Wikipedia – personal life).
• Brittany often accompanies Button to motorsport events and shares family moments on her social media accounts.

Why this matters: Button’s stable family life contrasts with the often‑turbulent personal stories of some F1 stars. His marriage to an American model and the birth of their son have grounded his post‑F1 years.

Timeline

• 19 January 1980 – Born in Frome, Somerset, England.
• 2000 – F1 debut with Williams.
• 2009 – Won World Drivers’ Championship with Brawn GP (Wikipedia – championship).
• 2017 – Retired from Formula One after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Wikipedia – retirement).
• 2018 – Moved to Super GT in Japan, winning the title with Team Kunimitsu (Super GT World – Super GT championship).
• 2019 – Became a commentator for Sky Sports F1 (Crash.net – commentary role).
• 2020–present – Co‑owner of Jenson Button Racing Team; continues racing in Super GT and enters WEC in 2025 (FIA WEC YouTube – 2025 programme).

What we know for sure — and what we don’t

In his own words

“I felt it was the right time to step away from Formula One and explore other challenges.”

Jenson Button, on his 2017 retirement decision (FIA WEC interview)

“I love the variety of racing in Japan; it keeps me sharp and passionate about motorsport.”

Jenson Button, reflecting on Super GT (FIA WEC interview)

Button’s story is one of deliberate reinvention. He walked away from F1 not because he had to, but because he wanted a motorsport life that offered more than just one series. For a fan watching from Britain, the lesson is clear: the best drivers find ways to stay relevant long after their championship window closes. For a young racer, the implication is that a single title can be the springboard to a varied, lasting career — if you’re willing to race outside the Formula One bubble.

Frequently asked questions