Button confirms full-time Super GT programme for 2018

  • Published on 03 Dec 2017 12:59
  • comments 7
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Jenson Button has confirmed that he will be racing full-time once again in 2018, taking part in the Super GT series. The 2009 Formula 1 world champion raced in the Suzuka 1000km last August, admitting that a full season in 2018 was a possibility.

Button left F1 at the end of 2016, taking a sabbatical this year. However, after Fernando Alonso skipped the Monaco Grand Prix to contest in the Indy 500, he returned to McLaren on a one-off. After the event, the Briton emphasized that he was not interested in a full-time return to motorsport's pinnacle.

However, he confirmed during the Honda Thanks Day on Sunday at Motegi that Super GT was his destination for next year: "I'll be racing for Honda and have a contract to race with Honda in Super GT in 2018," Button revealed.

"It's been a dream for the last couple of years, I love the category. I did one race in Suzuka this year, and it got me very excited. I'm very excited about the new season. There's a lot of testing to be done to feel comfortable and hopefully improve the package and go out next year and be competitive."

Button raced for Team Mugen last August at the Suzuka 1000km, leaving with a rather disappointing twelfth place finish. For the 2018 season, Honda is yet to confirm the team the 37-year-old will be competing for.

 

Fergal Walsh

It probably has more to do with being able to get a competitive seat or not.

  • 1
  • Dec 4 2017 - 10:37

Replies (7)

Login to reply
  • Yay! :3

    • + 0
    • Dec 3 2017 - 14:13
  • Hombibi

    Posts: 137

    Good for Button, though it is also a slight indication something is wrong with “the pinnacle of motorsport” if highly regarded drivers leave out of boredom and find renewed enthusiasm with other classes.

    • + 0
    • Dec 3 2017 - 19:17
    • I dont necessarily think thats the case. What I do however think is bad is how media started to talk about Button as being "old" while he was still driving very well, as if that was some sorta demeriting factor. F1 is far too focused on age, and chases little boys like a roman catholic priest.

      • + 0
      • Dec 4 2017 - 07:48
    • It probably has more to do with being able to get a competitive seat or not.

      • + 1
      • Dec 4 2017 - 10:37
  • Harryw

    Posts: 107

    He says he found it tough without his dad

    • + 0
    • Dec 4 2017 - 14:44
    • A rare thing to hear these days in the west. Good guy Jenson, he has strong family values.

      • + 0
      • Dec 4 2017 - 15:08
    • It is, and I wish we'd hear this kind of thing more often. But Im not really surprised, Button really seem like a fantastic dude. Hands down my favourite current driver.

      • + 0
      • Dec 4 2017 - 16:38

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 526
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 148
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar