Williams shares heartfelt tribute to Jenson Button ahead of racing retirement

The Williams Formula 1 team has shared a heartfelt tribute to 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button as he retires from racing.

The British driver is competing in his final World Endurance Championship race in Bahrain today.

After entering his rookie F1 season in 2000, he accumulated 15 grand prix wins, eight pole positions, eight fastest laps and a championship victory in 2009 before he retired from the series in 2017. Since retiring from F1, he has enjoyed stints in Super GT, NASCAR Cup Series and the World Endurance Championship.

Button announced in July 2025 that he would retire from racing at the end of the current WEC season to focus on spending time with his family.

“What a career. From your debut with Williams to your 2009 World Championship triumph, your journey has been pure class,” Williams posted on social media. “On the day of your last race, Jenson Button, thank you for the memories and inspiring a generation of motorsport fans, leaving an enduring legacy in Formula 1.”

Speaking ahead of his final race, Button explained: “I’m sure when I get out of the car, it will be something very different. I’m looking forward to getting in the car, 70 more laps in the Cadillac is going to be very short but I will do my best to enjoy every single one of them.

“I’m looking forward to this last race and then, on Sunday, everything changes.

“To even be in with a shot of fighting for the WEC world championship as a team is mega in the team’s first year as a manufacturer. Fighting with Porsche and Ferrari, that’s just impressive.

“I definitely leave at a good point for this team, I wish them luck for next year and think they can fight for this world championship, which is awesome.

“It’s a nice way to end my professional racing career with a team I call family.”