RE: Jenson Button announces (another) return to racing
Monday 5th June 2017
It seems Jenson Button has re-found his thirst for racing in recent weeks. Having filled in for McLaren just eight days ago, whilst Fernando Alonso took a shot at Indy 500 glory, he has now announced he will make his Super GT debut for Honda later this summer. The news doesn't come as a complete surprise of course, with Button himself previously hinting that the format may be one he would choose to dabble in following his 'retirement'.
The former F1 champion is set to drive a Team Mugen NSX-GT in the final running of the Suzuka 1000km, before it is replaced by a 10-hour GT3 race in 2018. Explaining how the opportunity arose, Button said, "After driving an NSX Concept-GT at the Honda Racing Thanks Day last December, I became interested in racing in Super GT... I spoke with Honda and they have given me the chance to race at the Suzuka 1000km." With limited time to acclimatise to the car, Button will take part in two tyre testing sessions this week at the circuit on which he won the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix for McLaren-Mercedes.
Jenson Button announces (another) return to racing
Former F1 world champion to drive for Team Mugen in the Suzuka 1000km
Team Mugen director Nagataka Tezuka seems optimistic about Button's chances, saying, "Jenson is an extremely talented and experienced driver, and we hope he will have a great race," with JB adding, "As an F1 driver and a member of Team Mugen, I will push to win." Fans shouldn't hold their breath, however, as Button's odds of victory are incredibly slim. The series has so far been dominated by Lexus, which has won all three races this year, while Honda have failed to win in Super GT since September 2015. Still though, our fingers will be crossed when he takes to the track on August 27th.
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