Exclusive: Jenson Button says 'I’ve still got the best job in the world'

Button talks F1 business, playboy lifestyles and a not so near retirement
Feeling fitter: Despite being 34 Jenson Button isn't ready to wave the flag on his career just yet (Photo credit: David Harrison)
Emma Powell26 August 2014
The Weekender

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Formula One driver Jenson Button feels fitter than ever ahead of racing on his favourite circuit, Spa-Francorchamps, at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.

The racer has clearly waved goodbye to his younger years. He’s training to keep in shape, got engaged to his girlfriend of five years Argentine-Japanese model Jessica Michibata in February, and is feeling “optimistic that things are going to get better”.

Despite clocking up 15 Grand Prix victories and making it on to the podium 50 times, a career on the circuit hasn't always been a smooth ride.

After getting snapped up by Frank Williams at the tender age of 20 he recalls taking Franks advice a little too literally.

Racing high: Button says he's fitter than ever ahead of this weekend's Grand Prix (Photo credit: David Harrison)

He told Square Mile: “Frank Williams said to me: ‘There’s no pressure, just go out there and enjoy yourself and get us some good results.’ And that’s what I did.”

His second year failed to match the success of his first and he ended up finishing the season in a disappointing 17th place. The media were quick to suggest that his driving had taken a back seat after getting caught up in the “playboy” lifestyle and he was criticised for partying too hard – something that he doesn’t wholly deny.

“When times are difficult like that, people look for the reasons for it. How can a driver be really strong one year and the next year he’s not? It must be because he’s bought a boat, he’s bought a house and he’s living the playboy lifestyle,” he adds. “In some ways they were right, but it was blown out of proportion.”

But one of his biggest challenges came in the form of a personal tragedy back in January of this year when his father John passed away suddenly. Known for wearing his pale pink ‘John Button’ shirt, Jenson’s fans arrived at the Silverstone Grand Prix dressed in his father’s signature style.

Coping with his father’s passing he admits has been harder at home than on the track, despite John’s constant presence in the paddock.

He said: “It’s a little bit different for me at races.

“Even though that’s where I used to spend so much time with my dad, when I’m racing I’m fully focused and I’ve always been that way. It’s when I get home that it’s harder for me.”

Proud: Jenson with his dad John after receiving an MBE (Photo credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Standing at the top of the podium isn’t just about an ability to drive well, and fast anymore. Now midway through his 15th season, having had ample time to work it out, he says it’s about knowing how to do business.

“Natural ability is only going to get you so far. It’s about working with sponsors; surrounding yourself with the right people; pushing your team and keeping them confident during the difficult times. There’s so much more to it than you see from the outside – it’s not just about driving fast, like it was in my karting days.”

He’s the most experienced driver on the F1 circuit with a tally of 258 race starts, but at the relatively old age of 34 (in terms of sport) many sportsmen would be thinking about retirement – not Button.

Reward: Jenson Button and girlfriend Jessica Michibata got engaged in February this year

He said, “There’s just so much more I still want to achieve in Formula 1 – to start with, winning races,” before adding “It’s such an addictive buzz, and it’s something I really need in my life for quite a few more years.”

He may still feel young and fit but his McLaren team, who have previously won 14 times at Spa, have had a disappointing season since the opening race in Australia in March.

But Button isn’t ready to give up just yet: “People say: ‘It must be tough for you right now,’ and of course I want to be winning, but I’ve still got the best job in the world.”

The original interview can be read in the September issue of Square Mile, out 2 September. See squaremile.com

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