Jenson Button: from NASCAR to Hypercar
The 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans will be Jenson Button's third in his long career. The 2009 F1 world champion is lined up with Jota, in the Porsche No. 38, in a Hypercar category that delights him.
Three participations, three different categories: Jenson Button’s first 24 Hours of Le Mans took place in 2018 in LMP1, with the Russian team SMP, and the second one during the centenary, last year, in the very popular Nascar Garage 56 (alongside Mike Rockenfeller and Jimmie Johnson).
This year, the friendly Briton finds himself in Hypercar, in the Jota team, on the Porsche 963 No.38. Quite a contrast with the Chevrolet Camaro No.56, which incidentally was turning faster than the GTE-Am.
« Honestly, with Nascar, it was a really fun weekend,” smiled Jenson Button, as usual. « At Hendrick Motorsport, there was great professionalism, combined with a very nice atmosphere. We had good challenges to meet, such as racing with the GTs for example. And we achieved our goal, which was to finish the race.
Two jewels on the crown?
Jenson Button is one of the few drivers to have won one of the three races that make up the triple crown. The 2009 world champion had clinched Monaco, that same year, with Brawn GP. Only Le Mans and the Indy 500 are missing. But the choice is quickly made, by elimination.
« I’ve heard a lot about the Indy 500, but it’s not a race that interests me. Of course, I have absolute respect for those who participate! It’s a race where nerves are put to the test. At this stage of my career, I just want to have fun,” Button said.
Especially since the popular dimension of Le Mans and the relationship with the teammates is conducive to relaxed atmospheres. That’s why Jenson Button was eager to come back here. « There is the noise, the music, the spectators…and even the smells! When I passed through the Porsche esses, I could almost smell the scent of barbecues in the campgrounds. It’s unique in the world and people come from everywhere to see it. »
For its 3rd 24 Hours, rain is forecast, especially for Sunday morning. But the British driver is waiting to see. « It was supposed to rain on Thursday for the tests and the Hyperpole, and we got nothing. The answer will come this Saturday. But it will be a challenge if that’s the case! »
