Button confirms full-time Super GT programme for 2018
- Published on 03 Dec 2017 12:59
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- 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
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Replies (7)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yay! :3
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.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
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.
krommenaas
Posts: 155
It probably has more to do with being able to get a competitive seat or not.
Harryw
Posts: 107
He says he found it tough without his dad
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
A rare thing to hear these days in the west. Good guy Jenson, he has strong family values.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
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.