British Formula One driver Jenson Button is expecting an "emotional" weekend as he races the last of his 16-year Formula 1 career. The former champ and outward-bound Mclaren chairman Ron Dennis were at pains to stress that this final race is not a retirement pronouncement. Either way, his absence from the track next year will divest the sport of an extraordinary driver and a bright and thoughtful charisma.
JB, who has raced in more than 300 grand prix and won the 2009 World Championship with Brawn, had already announced he will take up an ambassadorial role with his current team McLaren next year, Fox Sports reports. He will be replaced by highly rated reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne as Fernando Alonso's partner in 2017.
Jenson Button; A True Superstar Among The Few In The World Of F1
Born 19 January 1980, Jenson Button is one of an elite handful of drivers who have developed as true superstars of Formula 1 in the last decade. He was the 2009 Formula One World Champion, driving for Brawn GP; He regularly finished his hair-raising races on the podium for Honda during the years dominated by Michael Schumacher.
Nicknamed Rain Master; Jenson Button Excelled In Changeable Conditions
So often in his career, Jenson Button excelled In unpredictable tracks. Perhaps no race better showed this than the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix -- the longest in F1 history at four hours and four minutes -- when the former champ charged through the field from last to claim an amazing victory.
"All you can do is your best, as a racing driver and as a human being. I think I've done alright in those two areas," said the McLaren driver. In an interview with BBC News, Button said that he had made special arrangements this weekend.
"There's supposedly a party to go to but I don't think I'll make it there. I'll be surprised if I make it out of the pen," said the 36-year-old Briton. "You arrive with F1 with dreams, and you're gonna leave with memories." The 2009 champ will call it a day after Sunday's Abu Dhabi GP.
