Former F1 champion Jenson Button is about to come back out of retirement to offer three NASCAR races a spin, insisting it’s a ‘actual privilege’ to drive a Cup automotive
Former F1 champion Jenson Button will come out of retirement this 12 months to offer three NASCAR street programs a spin.
Button, who gained the 2009 F1 title, will drive for Rick Ware Racing in a automotive supported by Stewart-Haas Racing with an eye fixed on street programs in Austin, Texas, Chicago and Indianapolis.
The primary of the trio is the March 26 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
The 43-year-old additionally plans to race on the inaugural Grant Park 220 on a model new downtown Chicago avenue course July 2. The ultimate of the three is the August 13 Verizon 200 on the Brickyard on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway course.
The England native retired from F1 racing following the 2017 season after competing within the Monaco Grand Prix.
Jenson Button will come out of retirement this 12 months to offer three NASCAR street programs a spin
The 43-year-old Brit gained the 2009 F1 title earlier than retiring following the 2017 season
He did race on the Japanese Tremendous GT Collection, the place he gained the 2018 championship within the GT500 class, and likewise has participated within the 24 Hours of Le Mans since retiring.
When requested why he was popping out of retirement to offer NASCAR a spin, Button instructed Fox Sports: ‘Why not?’
‘That is so thrilling for me. I’ve had the chance to race in some nice classes around the globe. … NASCAR is certainly one thing I have been desirous about for a very long time.
‘Did I ever suppose I’d be driving a Cup automotive? Realistically not. I actually needed to, however I understand how troublesome it’s to get into this class. It is an actual privilege for me.’
The COTA race on March 26 will characteristic one other former F1 champion in Kimi Raikkonen, who will drive a 3rd automotive for Trackhouse Racing.
The lineup additionally will embody road-racing star Jordan Taylor, who will substitute for the injured Chase Elliott, who broke his leg.
In the meantime, Button, seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and road-course star Mike Rockenfeller are the drivers for the the Hendrick Motorsports/NASCAR ‘Storage 56’ Subsequent Gen automotive entry at Le Mans in June. Taylor will function driver-coach and backup driver.
Button can be joined by one other former F1 champion in Kimi Raikkonen on the COTA race
