Formula 1 Sao Paulo GP

Jenson Button's next move predicted after racing retirement

Jenson Button has retired from racing after his final WEC outing in Bahrain, sparking fan speculation that the 2009 F1 champion could step up to a full-time broadcast role

Lydia Mee

Edited: Nov 11, 2025, 6:21 AM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Jenson Button

Jenson Button

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has retired from racing after his final race in the World Endurance Championship in Bahrain. His retirement has, as you'd expect, led to speculation about his next move, with many fans suggesting we could see the Briton join the Sky Sports F1 broadcast team full-time.

Button confirmed in July 2025 that he would retire at the end of the current WEC season to focus on spending more time with his family, but fans are adamant that he will not step away from the motorsport world for good. 

"This will be my last race, I've always liked Bahrain, I think it's a fun track, and I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can because this will be the end of my professional racing career," Button told BBC Radio Somerset ahead of his final race.

"I've really enjoyed my time with Jota in WEC but my life has got way too busy and it's not fair on the team or on myself to go into 2026 and think that I'm going to have enough time for it.

"My kids are four and six and you're away for a week and you miss so much, you don't get this time back. I feel like I've missed a lot the last couple of years, which has been fine because I knew that would happen, but I'm not willing to do that again for another season."

Alongside his racing career, Button has had a part-time role with Sky Sports F1 since 2018 and serves as an ambassador for Williams Racing.

"Next F1 commentator (full-time)? Following the footsteps of other British legends such as James Hunt, John Watson, David Coulthard and of course Martin Brundle!" one fan predicted on a Reddit discussion on Button's retirement and next steps.

Alex Albon, Williams, Jenson Button

Alex Albon, Williams, Jenson Button

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

"Jenson on full-time would be the only thing that could bring me back to Sky's feed," another responded, while someone else wrote: "Wouldn't be surprising as Brundle is clearly in the process of transitioning out."

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has been part of the broadcast team at Sky Sports F1 since 2012, having also held similar roles with ITV and the BBC. At 66 years old, some fans expect Brundle to gradually wind down before retiring from the role, although it is worth noting that this has not been confirmed.

"Not the guy you replied to but Brundle is 66 years old and does less and less races every season. This year it feels like he’s missed about a third of them maybe more," another fan responded. "There is a noticeable decline in quality when Karun [Chandhok] or Anthony Davidson is the co-commentator. The coverage is still excellent when they have JB up there and very good too when they have Nico Rosberg in there so Sky really do need to find someone who can fill Brundle’s shoes soon because Karun and Anthony Davidson aren’t the ones."

Another added: "Just like the wonderful legend that is Murray Walker, Martin will never be able to be replaced. JB is the only real candidate to take the reins after Martin as JB is a legend in his own right and has a unique personality and style, but like Martin does compared to Murray."

Photos from Sao Paulo GP - Race

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Rubens Barrichello looks on in the Paddock

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Egle Ruskyte looks on in the Paddock

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Alex Pereira arrives in the Paddock

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Rayssa Leal arrives in the Paddock

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Carlos Prates visits the Mercedes AMG F1 Team garage

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Billy Idol on the grid

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Alexandre Pato and Rebeca Abravanel in the Alpine F1 garage

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

The drivers parade

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams, Alexander Albon, Williams

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Bernie Ecclestone looks on on the grid

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Alexander Albon, Williams, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Marshal recovers a tyre carcass from the track

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari crash

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Stella, McLaren

Sao Paulo GP - Sunday, in photos

Formula 1

60

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Why Andrea Kimi Antonelli's strongest F1 results have come at tracks he doesn't know

Next article Why Toto Wolff says the "ship has sailed" for Max Verstappen's F1 title hopes

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Lydia Mee



Laurent Mekies credited with ending Red Bull's second seat "curse"

Formula 1

Formula 1

Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Laurent Mekies credited with ending Red Bull's second seat "curse"



Guenther Steiner jokes Christian Horner Ferrari talk is good book publicity

Formula 1

Formula 1

Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Guenther Steiner jokes Christian Horner Ferrari talk is good book publicity



Kimi Antonelli has "spooked himself" amid F1 title pressure, says Naomi Schiff

Formula 1

Formula 1

Bahrain GP in Malaysia

Kimi Antonelli has "spooked himself" amid F1 title pressure, says Naomi Schiff

More from

Jenson Button



The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins

Formula 1

The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins



Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button

Formula 1

Formula 1

Italian GP

Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button



Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers

Formula 1

Formula 1

Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers

Latest news



Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Indonesian GP

50 min

Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"



Rwanda turns to F1 as it moves forward from a chequered past

Formula 1

Rwanda turns to F1 as it moves forward from a chequered past



Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 1 h

Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"



Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Charlotte II

7 h

Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts

Feature

Discover prime content



Rwanda turns to F1 as it moves forward from a chequered past

Formula 1

By Filip Cleeren

Rwanda turns to F1 as it moves forward from a chequered past



Christian Horner's inside story of how Red Bull built its own F1 engine

Formula 1

By Jake Boxall-Legge

Christian Horner's inside story of how Red Bull built its own F1 engine



Exclusive video: Christian Horner interview on his Red Bull exit, Mercedes rivalry and more

Formula 1

By Autosport

Exclusive video: Christian Horner interview on his Red Bull exit, Mercedes rivalry and more



Why Mercedes' latest 2026 F1 update is no downgrade

Formula 1

Singapore GP

By Jake Boxall-Legge

Why Mercedes' latest 2026 F1 update is no downgrade

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe