Jenson Button signs mega deal to return to racing six years after F1 retirement
JENSON BUTTON has signed a three-race deal to join Nascar six years after retiring from Formula One.
The Brit was crowned F1 champion in 2009 and has enjoyed a career in punditry since calling it quits in 2017.
But now he is set to take to the track once again, trying his hand at Nascar in the USA.
Button will make his debut in the stock car series in Texas on March 26.
He then faces a bit of a wait until his next race – the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2, before racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on August 13.
Button’s pay has not been disclosed but top drivers in Nascar can earn tens of millions of pounds for the season.
Speaking about the new venture, Button said: “The most important thing for me is to enjoy it.
“I love that challenge of driving new things.
“Every time an ex-F1 driver gets in a stock car these days, they struggle initially.
“It takes a while for them to get up to speed, so I don’t expect to be right at the front straight away. But I’m not just doing it for fun in some one-off.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
“I want to be competitive, and I know that to be competitive it’s going to take a bit of time. That’s why doing these three races works very well this season.”
Button will drive the No. 15 Ford for the small Rick Ware Racing team, and the car will have support from Stewart-Haas Racing and sponsorship from Mobil 1.