Written by Hugh Waring, Edited by Simran Kanthi
2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button is to make his NASCAR debut at Circuit of the Americas later this March, the first of three races. Button joins 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen to race on March 26th, 2023.
Speaking to AP, Button stated:
“A lot of people think I’m crazy for doing this because it’s so different, but that’s why I love the challenge of it.
“For me, it’s not about how quick the car is, it’s about how close the racing can be. In the Cup Series, the racing is awesome.
“It’s definitely going to be a shock to the system, but a toe in the water, so to speak, and hopefully help me be more competitive the next time I do it.”
Button also confirmed his participation in NASCAR’s inaugural street race in downtown Chicago in July, later followed by the road course event at Indianapolis in August.
The Brit joins Rick Ware Racing for all three races, following his partnership with Mobil 1, who have matched the Brit with Stewart-Haas Racing, specifically for promotional and marketing purposes.
Co-owner, Tony Stewart has stated that he is excited to see how Button fairs in this series:
“It’s always a challenge to try a new racing discipline, and the best thing you can bring to a new opportunity like this is an open mind,” Stewart said. “Jenson has been doing that his entire career. Those F1 cars evolve every year, and Jenson always found a way to adapt. And when he got out of F1, he jumped into sports cars and won another championship.
“He’s new to NASCAR, but he’s not new to racing. This is going to be fun for all of us, and we’re very appreciative of Mobil 1 for making it happen.”
Button is also scheduled to compete in the Centenary anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.