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Jenson Button, the celebrated Formula 1 world champion, is set to significantly alter his racing commitments, specifically his full-time involvement in the World Endurance Championship. This strategic shift is driven by an increasingly packed schedule and a desire to dedicate more time to his family. While he will depart from his current full-time role with the Jota Cadillac team following the 2025 season, Button has clarified that this is not a complete withdrawal from competitive motorsport. His future will involve a more selective, part-time racing schedule, maintaining his enduring connection to the sport he loves.

Former F1 Champion Jenson Button to Scale Back WEC Involvement for 2026 Season

In a significant announcement on July 16, 2025, Jenson Button, the esteemed 2009 Formula 1 world champion and current Hypercar driver for the Jota Cadillac team, revealed his intention to conclude his full-time participation in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) after the upcoming 2025 season. The 45-year-old British racing icon confirmed he will transition to a part-time racing schedule from 2026 onwards, prioritizing personal commitments and a demanding professional life.

Button's decision stems from the complexities of balancing a rigorous racing calendar with his other professional engagements, including his role as a pundit for Sky TV's Formula 1 coverage, and most importantly, his family life. He openly expressed that his current commitments have become overly burdensome, stating, “Life has become too busy with so many different things happening – my schedule is extremely demanding. It's time for me to begin thinking more about the future, and I truly wish to spend more time with my family.” He further acknowledged the impact on his current team, adding, “It's also not fair to the team; I probably don't have enough time to commit to it, especially for next year.”

Despite stepping away from full-time WEC competition, Button emphasized that his career in motorsport is far from over. He firmly declared, “I will be racing in something next year, but it won't be a full season.” When questioned about a potential return to the NASCAR Cup Series, where he made three appearances in 2023, Button remained non-committal, hinting at various possibilities. His extensive post-Formula 1 career has seen him compete across a diverse range of disciplines, including a previous stint in the WEC during the 2018-19 season with SMP Racing's LMP1 program, a successful two-year tenure in the Super GT Series with Team Kunimitsu Honda – where he notably clinched the title in 2018 alongside Naoki Yamamoto – and participation in the British GT Championship, Extreme E with his own teams, the IMSA SportsCar Championship, and the Nitro Rallycross Championship.

Sam Hignett, the principal of Jota, whose team recently secured a historic maiden WEC victory for Cadillac at Interlagos, subtly alluded to Button’s impending departure. While discussing the 2026 driver lineup for Cadillac’s factory WEC squad, Hignett confirmed there would be "one change" due to a driver's publicly stated future. He chose not to elaborate on Button’s replacement, indicating that an official announcement would not be made until after the WEC season concludes in Bahrain in November.

Jenson Button's decision to reduce his full-time racing commitments marks the end of an era in the World Endurance Championship, yet it opens a new chapter for the versatile driver. It serves as a powerful reminder that even at the pinnacle of professional motorsport, the demands of a high-octane career must eventually yield to the equally compelling call of family and personal well-being. Button's continued presence in selective racing ventures ensures that his considerable talent and passion will still grace the tracks, albeit on his own terms.

Adrian Newey, a highly respected figure in Formula 1 engineering, recently made a notable appearance at the British Grand Prix. Although observed with his characteristic sketchbook, a symbol of his continuous pursuit of knowledge and innovation, Newey's primary focus remains firmly fixed on Aston Martin's future ambitions. He is intentionally directing his considerable talents towards the development of the team's 2026 car, strategically distancing himself from the immediate challenges faced by the current vehicle. This calculated approach aligns with his established pattern throughout his illustrious career, where he has consistently prioritized conceptualizing and building for new regulatory eras rather than getting bogged down in inherited projects.

Newey's deliberate detachment from the immediate performance concerns of the current season is a recurring theme in his professional journey. Historically, upon joining new teams, he has opted to immerse himself in foundational, forward-looking design, often bypassing direct involvement in the day-to-day modifications of existing cars. This long-term vision, however, comes with its own set of pressures. Both team owner Lawrence Stroll, known for his high expectations, and veteran driver Fernando Alonso, eager for a competitive machine, are pushing for significant improvements. While minor upgrades have been introduced, their impact has been limited, creating a delicate balancing act for the team's leadership. The challenge lies in managing these present-day demands while simultaneously allowing Newey the freedom to forge a robust technical foundation for future success.

The path forward for Aston Martin and Adrian Newey is clear: to meticulously build for the 2026 technical reset, ensuring a strong and competitive contender. This focused dedication to future innovation, even amidst current struggles and the desire for immediate results, highlights a profound commitment to long-term excellence. It demonstrates that true progress often requires a strategic perspective, prioritizing foundational changes and future opportunities over the allure of quick, but potentially fleeting, gains.