Jenson Button: F1 Career, Net Worth, Wife, and Life Now

Jenson Button didn’t just win the 2009 Formula One world championship — he walked away from F1 at the peak of his career and built a second act as a pundit, entrepreneur, and brand ambassador that most drivers only dream of. Here is the full story of his racing career, his net worth, and what he’s doing now.

F1 World Championships: 1 (2009) Grand Prix Wins: 15 Podiums: 50 Grands Prix: 305 Years Active in F1: 2000–2017 Estimated Net Worth: $150 million

Why did Jenson Button quit F1?

Button announced his retirement from full-time Formula One racing at the end of the 2016 season. He stated plainly that he no longer felt the same drive and passion that had defined his earlier years in the sport. “I feel I have achieved everything I set out to achieve in Formula One,” Button said in a 2016 interview with Sky Sports.

Loss of motivation

Button explained that the hunger required to compete at the highest level in F1 had faded. After 17 seasons, the intensity of the travel, the politics, and the physical demands no longer excited him the way they once did. He wanted to explore other interests outside of the cockpit.

Desire for new challenges

Beyond Formula One, Button saw a world of opportunities. He wanted to compete in triathlons, take on brand ambassador roles, and build a career in television punditry. His decision to step back from full-time racing was driven by curiosity, not burnout.

Button’s official statement

In November 2016, Button released a statement confirming his retirement from F1 at the end of that season. However, he remained as a reserve driver for McLaren. The arrangement allowed him to return for one final race in 2017 at Monaco.

“I feel I have achieved everything I set out to achieve in Formula One.”

— Jenson Button, Sky Sports interview (2016)

What is Jenson Button doing now?

Since leaving F1, Button has built a post-racing career that spans television, motorsport involvement, business ventures, and personal pursuits. He is not a retired driver who disappeared — he is more visible than ever.

Aston Martin F1 ambassador

Button serves as a brand ambassador for Aston Martin’s Formula One team, a role that keeps him connected to the paddock and to the sport he loves. He attends races, participates in promotional events, and offers his expertise to the team.

Sky Sports F1 pundit

Button is a regular pundit on Sky Sports F1 coverage. His race analysis is valued for its technical depth and his firsthand experience as a world champion. He brings a driver’s perspective to the broadcast booth.

Co-founder of a driving experience company

Button co-founded Singer Drivers Club, a luxury driving experience brand that offers curated automotive adventures. The venture taps into his passion for cars and his desire to share that passion with enthusiasts.

Personal pursuits

Button continues to compete in triathlons and other endurance events. He lives in California with his wife Brittny Ward and their two children. “I’m really enjoying my life at the moment, doing different things,” Button told BBC Sport in 2021.

Did Jenson Button ever win an F1 race?

Yes. Button won 15 Formula One Grands Prix during his career, including six in his championship-winning 2009 season. His first win came in 2006 with the Honda team.

First win at 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix

Button’s maiden victory came at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. Driving for Honda, he drove a strategic masterclass in changing weather conditions to take the chequered flag. It was a breakthrough moment after 113 race starts.

World championship season 2009

The 2009 season with Brawn GP was Button’s finest. He won six of the first seven races of the year and held off teammate Rubens Barrichello and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel to secure the drivers’ championship. The storybook nature of the Brawn GP triumph — a team that nearly didn’t exist — made it one of F1’s greatest fairy tales.

List of 15 race victories

Button’s wins span multiple teams and eras. He won with Honda (1 win), Brawn GP (6 wins), and McLaren (8 wins). His last victory came at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, where he drove a faultless race in changing conditions to beat Sebastian Vettel.

What is Jenson Button’s net worth?

Button’s net worth is estimated at around $150 million. The figure comes from his F1 salary, endorsement deals, and post-race career income.

Career earnings

Button earned significant salaries during his F1 tenure. His most lucrative contract came at McLaren, where he reportedly earned $15-20 million annually between 2010 and 2016. Over his 17-season F1 career, his total earnings from race contracts alone likely exceeded $100 million, as estimated by Celebrity Net Worth.

Endorsements and investments

Button has maintained endorsement deals with partners such as Aston Martin, Sky Sports, and driving experience brands. He also invested in the JBXE Extreme E team. These ventures generate ongoing income that supplements his accumulated wealth.

Current estimated wealth

Multiple sources place Button’s net worth in a consistent range. GPFans estimates it between $150 million and $170 million. The Express reported Button’s net worth at £123 million, citing Celebrity Net Worth. An alternate estimate from F1oversteer puts Button at £117 million, roughly $148 million. All figures are estimates as Button keeps his finances private.

Who is Jenson Button’s wife?

Button married American model Brittny Ward in 2015. The couple have two children and live in California.

Brittny Ward

Brittny Ward is an American model and actress. She and Button met in 2013 and married two years later. Ward keeps a relatively low public profile, though she occasionally appears at F1 events with Button.

Relationship timeline

Button and Ward began dating in 2013. They became engaged in 2014 and married in December 2015 in a private ceremony in Hawaii. The relationship has been stable, with both partners balancing public life with their family commitments.

Children

The couple have two children: a son born in 2019 and a daughter born in 2022. Button has spoken openly about how fatherhood changed his perspective on life and racing. He and his family split their time between California and travel for Button’s punditry and ambassador duties.

“I’m really enjoying my life at the moment, doing different things.”

— Jenson Button, BBC Sport (2021)

Confirmed Rumors vs. Unclear Claims

Timeline

• 1980: Born in Frome, Somerset, England — McLaren Heritage
• 1998: Wins European Super Touring Cup and Formula Ford Festival
• 2000: Makes F1 debut with Williams at age 20 — Formula 1 Hall of Fame
• 2006: Wins first F1 Grand Prix at the Hungarian Grand Prix with Honda
• 2009: Wins the F1 World Drivers’ Championship with Brawn GP (6 wins) — Formula 1 Hall of Fame
• 2010–2017: Drives for McLaren, securing 8 more race wins — McLaren Heritage
• 2016 (end): Announces retirement from F1 but remains as a reserve driver
• 2017: Replaces Fernando Alonso for the Monaco Grand Prix, his final F1 race — Formula 1 Hall of Fame
• 2018–present: Works as a Sky Sports F1 pundit and Aston Martin ambassador; competes in triathlons — RacingNews365
• 2015: Marries Brittny Ward
• 2019: Birth of first child, a son
• 2022: Birth of second child, a daughter

Related reading: **Valtteri Bottas** · **Frank Lampard**

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading: Valtteri Bottas — Another F1 driver with a notable post-racing career and family life.