Jenson Button ended his racing career with a 16th-place finish at the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain. The event took place at the Bahrain International Circuit. It was the final round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship. Button drove a Cadillac Hypercar for Hertz Team JOTA.
Early in the race, his car made contact with a Ferrari GT3 machine. The contact caused a heavy crash and triggered a safety car. Race control then stopped the race so officials could clear the track. No penalties were issued. After the restart, Button and his teammates continued and finished the race. This marked the end of his two-decade racing career across many top-level series.
Early collision ends Jenson Button’s Final Race Challenge
Jenson Button shared the Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac with his co-drivers for the season finale. During the early laps, his car made contact with the Vista AF Corse Ferrari 296 GT3 driven by Thomas Flohr. The contact pushed the Ferrari into the barriers. Flohr retired from the race. The crash forced officials to deploy a safety car. Race control then stopped the race to repair the barriers and remove debris.
Once the race went green again, Button and the JOTA crew returned to the track. Their focus shifted to finishing the race. The Cadillac lacked the speed needed to climb the order. The team stayed steady and crossed the finish line in 16th place. Button reached the finish on track. That mattered more than the result.
Toyota and Ferrari claim season titles
Toyota Gazoo Racing controlled the race from the front. Sébastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley finished first and second. That result secured the manufacturer’s title. Ferrari also completed an important milestone. The No. 51 team of Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and James Calado earned enough points to secure the driver’s title. This gave Ferrari its first World Endurance Championship team title in over fifty years.
Before the race, Button spoke about how he planned to enjoy his final laps in the Cadillac. He said he felt proud to help JOTA fight strong rivals such as Porsche and Ferrari. He said the group felt like a family. He said leaving while the team is in a strong position felt like the right moment.
During the weekend, tributes came from across motorsport. Williams, the team that brought Button into Formula 1 in 2000, posted a message on social media. The team praised his career from rookie to world champion. The team thanked him for inspiring young fans and leaving a legacy that will stay in Formula 1 history.
What a career 🏆🤩
From your debut with Williams to your 2009 World Championship triumph, your journey has been pure class. On the day of your last race @JensonButton, thank you for the memories and inspiring a generation of motorsport fans, leaving an enduring legacy in Formula… pic.twitter.com/eAwSfTVmrA
— Atlassian Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) November 8, 2025
Button steps away from racing to focus on family
Jenson Button announced in July 2025 that he would retire from full-time racing at the end of the World Endurance Championship season. He said he wanted to spend more time with his wife, Brittny Ward, and their two young children. He shared that racing required long periods away from home. He said he did not want to miss important family moments.
His career covered several major racing series. He won the 2009 Formula 1 world championship. He earned fifteen Formula 1 grand prix wins. His most famous race was the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix, where he moved from last place to first.
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