Editing Jenson Button (section)

==Formula One career==
===Williams (2000)===
[[File:Williams FW22 - Donington Park.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Button's [[Williams FW22]] at the [[Donington Grand Prix Exhibition]].]]

In November 1999, Button had his McLaren test prize at the Silverstone club circuit in a [[McLaren MP4/13|MP4/13]] car and impressed team owner [[Ron Dennis]]. He also tested for the [[Prost Grand Prix|Prost]] team at the [[Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya|Circuit de Catalunya]] after the team owner Alain Prost was impressed by Button's ability and asked him to test.<ref name="InterviewTimes03">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-big-interview-jenson-button-mx875hrjh3b|title=The big interview: Jenson Button|last1=Naughton|first1=Philippe|date=26 January 2003|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=30 December 2010|last2=Fleming|first2=Sam|last3=Hipwell|first3=Deirdre|url-access=subscription|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201100/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-big-interview-jenson-button-mx875hrjh3b|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Indy2000" />{{Sfn|Couldwell|2010|pp=206–208}} Prost offered Button a drive at his F3000 squad before becoming his F1 team's [[test driver]] for one season to prepare for competitive driving. He did not commit because Prost had not prepared to fulfill the promise of a F1 seat.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=110–111}} Huysman and Robertson declined Dennis' offer for Button to join the McLaren team and a seat from [[Jaguar Racing|Jaguar]] chairman [[Jackie Stewart]].<ref name=GuardianApr00>{{cite news|last=Henry|first=Alan|title=Button warned against the Spice world|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/259516164/|work=The Guardian|date=20 April 2000|access-date=14 May 2020|url-status=live|via=Newspapers.com|page=32|archive-date=2 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802033702/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/259516164/}}</ref>

A vacant race seat became available at the [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] team following the departure of two-time [[Championship Auto Racing Teams|CART]] champion [[Alex Zanardi|Alessandro Zanardi]].  Other contenders for the seat included sports car driver [[Jörg Müller]] and [[Japanese Formula 3 Championship|Japanese Formula Three]] champion [[Darren Manning]].<ref name=Autosport11Aug16/> On 24 December 1999, team founder and principal [[Frank Williams (Formula One)|Frank Williams]] telephoned Button,{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=113–117}} who first thought it a joke,<ref name=Autosport11Aug16/> and asked whether he was ready to drive in F1 to which he said no. Button's father instructed him to tell Williams he was indeed ready.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=113–117}} Button talked with Williams and BMW motorsport director [[Gerhard Berger]] and a 'shoot-out' test was arranged between Button and F3000 racer and test driver [[Bruno Junqueira]] at Jerez in a [[Williams FW21|Williams FW21B]] car modified by being fitted with a BMW engine.{{sfn|Button|Tremayne|2002|pp=7–10}}{{Sfn|Button|Tremayne|2002|pp=7–10}}{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=113–117}} with Button securing the drive, even though the majority of the team's engineers preferred Junqueira.<ref name=Autosport11Aug16/>{{Sfn|Couldwell|2010|pp=206–208}} This made him Britain's youngest ever F1 driver, beating the previous record held by [[Stirling Moss]].{{sfn|Button|Tremayne|2002|p=120}}{{sfn|Chicane|2015|p=168}} Button did not hold a [[FIA Super Licence]] and the FIA president [[Max Mosley]] required him to complete {{Convert|300|km|mi|abbr=on}} on two consecutive days of testing and support from 18 of the 26 members of the F1 Commission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2000/feb/2012.htm|title=Mosley Says Button Must Pass Superlicence Test|date=14 February 2000|publisher=Atlas F1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229095710/http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2000/feb/2012.htm|archive-date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> The FIA chose to issue him with a super licence regardless.{{Sfn|Button|2017|p=127}} Button worked with a physiotherapist to help build his strength to drive an F1 car.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Atkin|first=Ronald|date=23 April 2000|title=Old head on the boy racer|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/old-head-on-the-boy-racer-280461.html|access-date=14 May 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201107/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/old-head-on-the-boy-racer-280461.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A sixth-place finish at the season's second race in [[2000 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]] made him the [[List of Formula One driver records#Youngest drivers to score points|youngest driver in history to score a point]].{{efn|The current holder of this record is [[Max Verstappen]] who finished seventh at the {{F1GP||2015 Malaysian}} when he was 17 years, 180 days old.<ref>{{cite news|title=F1 wonderkids: How does Max Verstappen compare?|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/05/19/max-verstappen-and-the-f1-wonderkids/|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=19 May 2016|access-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522001934/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2016/05/19/max-verstappen-and-the-f1-wonderkids/|archive-date=22 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>}}{{Sfn|Hill|2005|p=21}} In his first six races, he qualified higher than his teammate [[Ralf Schumacher]] twice, and was consistently close in pace.<ref name="FFFF2000" /><ref name="Results" /> However, Williams had intended to use Button only until they could exercise their option to buy the highly rated [[Juan Pablo Montoya]] out of his contract at [[Chip Ganassi Racing]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/936263.stm |title=Williams admits Montoya is the man |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=21 September 2000 |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030418152844/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/936263.stm |archive-date=18 April 2003 |url-status=live }}</ref> A dip in Button's form, combined with Montoya's victory in the [[2000 Indianapolis 500]], led to Montoya being announced as his replacement midway through the season. Williams chose not to sell Button's contract, keeping the right to recall him in 2003. He went to [[Benetton Formula]] on a two-year loan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Button's two-year move to Benetton |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/buttons-twoyear-move-to-benetton-695945.html |date=17 August 2000 |first=Derick |last=Allsop |work=The Independent |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903052532/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/buttons-twoyear-move-to-benetton-695945.html |archive-date=3 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Button's best qualification of the season was third place in the {{F1GP|2000|Belgian}} at [[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps|Spa-Francorchamps]]; and his best result was fourth in the {{F1GP|2000|German}}.<ref name=MMagBio>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/jenson-button|title=Jenson Button|website=Motor Sport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406232421/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/drivers/jenson-button|archive-date=6 April 2019|access-date=14 December 2019}}</ref> After concerns about his inexperience, he made a few errors during the season, the most notable coming in the {{F1 GP|2000|Italian}} at [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|Monza]]. Under [[safety car]] conditions Button swerved to avoid the pack which had bunched up, and crashed into a barrier.<ref name=Autosport11Aug16>{{Cite journal|last=Anderson|first=Ben|date=11 August 2016|title=Button's Big Break|journal=[[Autosport]]|pages=17–19}}</ref> Button finished his debut season in eighth place with 12 points.{{Sfn|Hill|2005|p=21}}

===Team Enstone (2001–2002)===
====Benetton (2001)====
[[File:Button 2001.jpg|thumb|right|Button at the {{F1GP||2001 French}} driving for [[Benetton Formula|Benetton]].]]

For {{F1|2001}}, Button partnered experienced driver [[Giancarlo Fisichella]] at Benetton, which had recently been purchased by [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]]. His car was very uncompetitive due to a lack of [[power steering]] and horsepower to the faster teams coupled with a lack of pre-season testing and he was consistently outperformed by his teammate.<ref name="Tremayne2001">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/buttons-battle-to-rebuild-his-image-677797.html|title=Button's battle to rebuild his image|date=15 July 2001|first=David|last=Tremayne|work=The Independent|access-date=30 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713000011/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/buttons-battle-to-rebuild-his-image-677797.html|archive-date=13 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2001/may/26/formulaone.formulaone2001|title=Button's slow road to trouble in paradise|last=Henry|first=Alan|date=26 May 2001|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215210145/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2001/may/26/formulaone.formulaone2001|archive-date=15 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished 17th in the [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|Drivers' Championship]] with a total of two points scored; his best result was a fifth-place finish at the {{F1 GP|2001|German}}.<ref name=MMagBio/> His poor form led to speculation he would be replaced before the end of the year;<ref name="Tremayne2001"/> team principal [[Flavio Briatore]] said, "Either he shows he's super-good or he leaves the top echelon of drivers",<ref name="Edworthy"/> and reportedly offered him the chance to leave.<ref name="Gordon">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/button-confident-he-has-talent-to-realise-his-dream-671142.html|title=Button confident he has talent to realise his dream|date=28 September 2001|work=The Independent|first=Ian|last=Gordon|access-date=30 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614091554/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/button-confident-he-has-talent-to-realise-his-dream-671142.html|archive-date=14 June 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Briatore believed Button's inexperience showed as he struggled to help his team set up a competitive car.<ref name="Gordon"/> His lack of success combined with an extravagant lifestyle led some press publications to dub him a "[[Playboy lifestyle|playboy]]".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/3008937/Coulthard-and-Button-find-common-ground.html |title=Coulthard and Button find common ground |date=14 July 2001 |first=James |last=Mossop |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903005143/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/3008937/Coulthard-and-Button-find-common-ground.html |archive-date=3 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Renault (2002)====
[[File:Button Silverstone 2002.jpg|thumb|Button competing for [[Renault in Formula One|Renault]] at the [[2002 British Grand Prix]]]]
In {{F1|2002}}, Benetton was re-branded as Renault, and [[Jarno Trulli]] joined the team to partner Button.<ref name="Edworthy">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/4777741/Formula-One-Button-aims-to-shake-off-playboy-image.html |title=Formula One: Button aims to shake off playboy image |date=12 February 2002 |first=Sarah |last=Edworthy |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=30 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902230041/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/4777741/Formula-One-Button-aims-to-shake-off-playboy-image.html |archive-date=2 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a bid to improve his public image over the pre-season interval,<ref name=ARDBut02/> he changed his social life habits, spending more time training, and separating from Robertson and Huysman to join John Byfield's sport managerial stable after Briatore talked to Button about Byfield.<ref name=F1MagOctober2002>{{cite journal|last=Kabanovsky|first=Alexander|title=Один на один: Переходный возраст|trans-title=One on One: Adolescent Age|journal=Formula 1 Magazine|language=ru|date=October 2002|pages=79–80}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mclaren.com/racing/heritage/driver/jenson-button/jenson-formula-1-debut/|title=Jenson: Formula 1 debut|date=20 November 2013|publisher=McLaren|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215180543/https://www.mclaren.com/racing/heritage/driver/jenson-button/jenson-formula-1-debut/|archive-date=15 December 2019|access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref> In late 2001, Briatore invited Button to spend ten days at a ranch in Kenya,<ref name=F1MagOctober2002/> to become acquainted with his peers and do physical training to eliminate a shoulder and back problem that had hindered him in 2001.<ref name=ARDBut02>{{Cite journal|last=Knuston|first=Dan|date=November 2002|title=Pushing All The Right Buttons|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A90217151/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=7d5be2ef.|journal=Auto Racing Digest|volume=30|issue=6|pages=56|url-access=subscription|access-date=14 December 2019|via=Gale General OneFile|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201045/https://galeapps.gale.com/apps/auth?userGroupName=wikipedia&sid=GPS&origURL=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.gale.com%2Fps%2Fi.do%3Fp%3DGPS%26u%3Dwikipedia%26id%3DGALE%7CA90217151%26v%3D2.1%26it%3Dr%26sid%3DGPS%26asid%3D7d5be2ef.&prodId=GPS|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/515|title=Button Begins Kenyan Fitness Quest|date=12 December 2001|website=Atlas F1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216081206/http://classic.autosport.com/news/atlasf1-report.php/id/515|archive-date=16 December 2019|access-date=16 December 2019}} </ref> Button spent a lot of time working with his engineering team and felt there was an improved understanding between them; Button described himself as "very confident" for the season.<ref name="Edworthy" />

At the season's second race in [[2002 Malaysian Grand Prix|Malaysia]], he was set for his first podium before a rear suspension problem on the final lap dropped him to fourth place. Button's performances were greatly improved from 2001 because his car had power steering and [[Launch control (automotive)|launch control]]; although often outqualified by Trulli, he showed the faster race pace to outscore his more experienced teammate. Despite Button's performances, and his desire to stay with Renault, he was told by Briatore by telephone that test driver [[Fernando Alonso]] would replace him in 2003.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=160–163}} Briatore faced criticism for his decision, but stated "time will tell if I am wrong";{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=160–163}} he would also accuse Button of being a "lazy playboy".<ref name="earlysuccess"/> In July, Button signed a two-year contract with [[British American Racing]] (BAR) with the option for a further two years after that to replace the outgoing [[Olivier Panis]],{{sfn|Henry|2009|pp=70–71, 75}} partnering 1997 world champion [[Jacques Villeneuve]], after discussions with several teams fell through. An important factor in his decision was the chance to work with [[David Richards (motorsport)|David Richards]], the BAR team principal, and he was impressed with the team's long-term programme.<ref name=F1MagOctober2002/><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Noble|first1=Jonathan|last2=Bishop|first2=Matt|title=Button: BAR Offers Title Chance|journal=Autosport|date=27 July 2002|pages=8–9}}</ref> He finished the season seventh with 14 points.{{Sfn|Hill|2005|p=21}}

===Brackley-based teams (2003–2009)===
====BAR (2003–2005)====
===== 2003 =====
Button faced early hostility from new teammate Villeneuve, who said Button "should be in a boy band" and was not on speaking terms with him.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=165–168}} Their relationship did not improve after the [[2003 Australian Grand Prix|first race]] in Australia: Villeneuve was due to pit, but stayed out an extra lap and made a pit stop when Button was due in, leaving Button waiting in the pit lane while Villeneuve's car was serviced. Villeneuve blamed it on "radio problems", but both Button and Richards hinted that they did not believe him. Button scored eight points in the first six races, including a fourth place at the {{F1 GP|2003|Austrian}}.{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2003|pp=51, 212, 218}} His relationship with Villeneuve improved thereafter because of his better performance and said the comments were caused by inter-team changes.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=165–168}} A high speed crash for Button during Saturday qualifying in [[2003 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] briefly knocked him unconscious, and he was detained in hospital overnight. Despite the accident Button still wanted to race, but was withdrawn by his team on medical advice. He was cleared to race for the following Grand Prix in [[2003 Canadian Grand Prix|Montreal]].{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=170–173}} Button continued to outperform his teammate and this helped rebuild his previously faltering reputation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2705685.stm |title=Jenson Button |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 December 2010 |date=26 February 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040416123018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2705685.stm |archive-date=16 April 2004 |url-status=live }}</ref> Just before the final race in [[2003 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]], Villeneuve lost his seat at BAR, so Button was partnered with [[Takuma Sato]]; he took his second fourth place of the season,{{Sfn|Domenjoz|2003|pp=51, 212, 218}} and finished ninth in the Drivers' Championship with 17 points.<ref name=MMagBio/>

[[File:Jenson button usgp 2004 ontrack.jpg|thumb|left|Button driving for [[British American Racing|BAR]] at the {{F1GP||2004 United States}}.]]

===== 2004 =====
The {{F1|2004}} season was the first in which Button was the more experienced driver in his team. He was ambitious for the season, saying he wanted to challenge consistently for points and podium finishes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/formula-one/article/button-passes-up-spice-boy-trappings-in-pursuit-of-podium-708ccxkrs79|title=Button passes up spice boy trappings in pursuit of podium|date=29 January 2004|first=Kevin|last=Eason|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=30 December 2010|url-access=subscription|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201102/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/button-passes-up-spice-boy-trappings-in-pursuit-of-podium-708ccxkrs79|url-status=live}}</ref> He took his first podium in the second race of the year—third-place at the {{F1GP|2004|Malaysian}}. He followed it up two weeks later with another third-place in [[2004 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]]. In the next race at [[2004 San Marino Grand Prix|Imola]], he took his first pole position and finished second behind [[Michael Schumacher]].{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=179–180}} He took 10 podiums in 18 races, and scored no points in three.<ref name="Results" /><ref name=BUTCurious/> Button came third in the Drivers' Championship and helped BAR to take second in the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|Constructors' Championship]].{{Sfn|Hill|2005|p=21}}

In August, Button became embroiled in a contract dispute. On 5 August, Button chose to leave BAR and signed a two-year contract to return to Williams.{{sfn|Henry|2005|pp=178–181}} He did so because BAR were not a works manufacturer team but Williams were in a partnership with BMW and felt they could help him win the Drivers' Championship.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=182–183}} This was surprising, as Button was enjoying his best season to date, while Williams had been struggling.{{sfn|Henry|2005|pp=178–181}} BAR insisted they had the right to exercise their option to retain Button. His management argued that the BAR option was not valid because it contained a clause allowing him to leave if BAR risked losing their Honda engines. They felt the new contract signed mid-year for Honda to supply engines to BAR was not definitive, and thus Button was free to move.<ref name="contract">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3541518.stm|title=Will team switch undo Button?|date=6 August 2004|first=Andrew|last=Benson|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 December 2010|archive-date=31 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531064305/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3541518.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BARcontract">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3746818.stm |title=BAR win Button contract dispute |date=20 October 2004 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=31 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060331002411/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3746818.stm |archive-date=31 March 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> The dispute went to F1's Contract Recognition Board, who ruled in favour of BAR on 20 October, forcing Button to stay with the team.<ref name="BARcontract"/> Button separated from his manager John Byfield as a result, saying he had been badly advised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/button-changes-manager-after-williams-affair-15086.html|title=Button changes manager after Williams affair|first=Alastair|last=Moffitt|work=The Independent|date=1 January 2005|access-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502104819/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/button-changes-manager-after-williams-affair-15086.html|archive-date=2 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He asked his friend Richard Goodard to manage him,{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=182–183}} and employed a personal assistant in restructuring his organisation.<ref name=F1RMagJul09>{{cite journal|last=Allen|first=James|author-link=James Allen (journalist)|title=The Renaissance of Jenson Button|url=http://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/racing/2009/07.2009.pdf|journal=F1 Racing|date=July 2009|access-date=4 May 2020|pages=43–47|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504205215/http://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/racing/2009/07.2009.pdf|archive-date=4 May 2020|url-status=live|issn=1361-4487}}</ref>

===== 2005 =====
[[File:Jenson Button 2005 Canada 2.jpg|thumb|right|Button at the {{F1GP||2005 Canadian}}, where he took [[pole position]].]]
Despite the feud, Button insisted he had BAR's backing,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4178779.stm |title=Button retains BAR team backing |date=16 January 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=2 January 2011 |archive-date=31 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531064307/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4178779.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> and was optimistic for the {{F1|2005}} season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2005/1/2540.html|title=BAR drivers target first win with 007|date=16 January 2005|publisher=formula1.com|access-date=2 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006163236/http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2005/1/2540.html|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> He was unable to deal with regulation changes concerning aerodynamics and his car lacked pace as a result.<ref name=DTSep05>{{cite news|last=Garside|first=Kevin|title=Button wins his freedom for £18m|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/kevingarside/2365562/Button-wins-his-freedom-for-18m.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 September 2005|access-date=14 August 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201044/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/kevingarside/2365562/Button-wins-his-freedom-for-18m.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Button was disqualified from third place at the {{F1 GP|2005|San Marino}} after race scrutineers found his car had a second fuel tank inside the main one, that when drained, made his car underweight. The FIA International Court of Appeal banned Button and his team from the next two races as a result. Following his return, he took the second pole position of his career in [[2005 Canadian Grand Prix|Montreal]], but crashed out after an error while running third.{{sfn|Henry|2009|pp=117–119, 174}} After the {{F1GP|2005|United States}}, Button scored in all of the remaining races with two third-place finishes in [[2005 German Grand Prix|Germany]] and [[2005 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]] to end the season in ninth place on 37 points.<ref name=MMagBio/>

For the second consecutive year, Button had contract disputes involving BAR and Williams. Button had signed a pre-contract to drive for Williams in {{F1|2006}}, but he now believed his prospects of achieving his maiden Grand Prix victory would be better at BAR, and that his Williams contract was not binding.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4725623.stm |title=I'm not tied to Williams&nbsp;– Button |date=28 July 2005 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=2 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060826214953/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4725623.stm |archive-date=26 August 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> Frank Williams insisted the contract was fully binding, and that there would be "absolutely no turning back"; his team required Button to fulfill some contractual obligations with sponsors.{{efn|Button's contract with Williams stipulated he had to score less than 75 per cent of points accumulated by the leader of the Drivers' Championship before the {{F1GP|2005|Turkish}} to join the team for 2006.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dodgins|first=Tony|title=Button Undone|url=https://www.autosport.com/motorsport/feature/218/button-undone|work=Autosport|date=3 August 2005|access-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514160841/https://www.autosport.com/motorsport/feature/218/button-undone|archive-date=14 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4727277.stm|title=Williams defiant in Button tussle|date=29 July 2005|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060223101941/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4727277.stm|archive-date=23 February 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> After several weeks of talks, Williams agreed to release Button in exchange for an estimated £18&nbsp;million in compensation.<ref name=DTSep05/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/button-gets-his-wish-as-williams-end-pursuit-kr3kz9tt0z6|title=Button gets his wish as Williams end pursuit|date=20 September 2005|work=[[The Times]]|first=Kevin|last=Eason|access-date=2 January 2011|url-access=subscription|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201057/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/button-gets-his-wish-as-williams-end-pursuit-kr3kz9tt0z6|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Honda (2006–2008)====

===== 2006 =====
[[File:Jenson Button 2006 Canada.jpg|thumb|right|Button driving the [[Honda RA106]] which he drove to victory at the {{F1GP||2006 Hungarian}}.]]
BAR was renamed [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]] prior to 2006 following a buyout by the Japanese manufacturer and Button was partnered by the experienced [[Rubens Barrichello]].<ref name=DTJun06/> Honda granted Button equal status and he would receive no preferential treatment alongside Barrichello.<ref>{{cite web|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|title=Button and Barrichello to Get Equal Status|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/47129/button-and-barrichello-to-get-equal-status|work=Autosport|date=22 September 2005|access-date=14 August 2020}}</ref> The new team performed well in testing, helped by the extra resources now available from Honda, and Button was confident in the car.<ref name=DTJun06>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2331228/Patient-Button-finds-the-car-to-break-his-duck.html|title=Patient Button finds the car to break his duck|first=Kevin|last=Garside|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=26 June 2006|access-date=3 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903000950/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2331228/Patient-Button-finds-the-car-to-break-his-duck.html|archive-date=3 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He had been frustrated by not converting his increasing experience and confidence in his driving into success in 2005 and was excited about Honda's car and engine development enabling race victory challenges.{{Sfn|Button|2017|p=188}} Button scored points in five of the first eleven races, finishing third at the second round, the {{F1GP|2006|Malaysian}}, and pole position for the following {{F1GP|2006|Australian}}.<ref name=Results>{{cite web|title=Jenson Button Results|url=https://motorsportstats.com/driver/jenson-button/results|publisher=Motorsport Stats|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=17 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017122549/https://motorsportstats.com/driver/jenson-button/results|url-status=live}}</ref> The first win of his career was at a rain-affected {{F1 GP|2006|Hungarian}} from a 14th position start&nbsp;– the 113th Grand Prix start of his career.{{sfn|Hamilton|2020|p=216}} Button finished fourth or fifth at each of the next five races and ended the season with a podium finish at the final round in [[2006 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]]. Over the last six races of the season, he scored more points (35) than any other driver.<ref name="f1f2006stats">{{cite web | title = F1 2006 review: stats | publisher = F1Fanatic.co.uk | year = 2006 | url = http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2006/11/05/f1-2006-stats-review/ | access-date = 12 August 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120213235448/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2006/11/05/f1-2006-stats-review/ | archive-date = 13 February 2012 | url-status = live }}</ref>

===== 2007 =====
[[File:Jenson Button 2007 Britain.jpg|thumb|left|Button driving for [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]] at the {{F1GP||2007 Chinese}}.]]

In {{F1|2007}}, Button again drove with Honda alongside Barrichello. He was unable to partake in pre-season testing because of two hairline fractures to his ribs, sustained in a karting incident in late 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Button hurts himself while karting|url=http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17804.html|date=27 November 2006|publisher=GrandPrix.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016133203/http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17804.html|archive-date=16 October 2015|access-date=2 February 2016}}</ref> His [[Honda RA107]] car had an [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] imbalance from lacking grip after [[Shuhei Nakamoto]] was appointed Senior Technical Director following the departure of [[Geoff Willis]].{{sfn|Henry|2009|p=133}}{{Sfn|Button|2017|p=200}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Garside|first=Kevin|title=Ross Brawn coup is on the Button for Honda|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/kevingarside/2325571/Ross-Brawn-coup-is-on-the-Button-for-Honda.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 November 2007|access-date=14 June 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614093601/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/kevingarside/2325571/Ross-Brawn-coup-is-on-the-Button-for-Honda.html}}</ref> His year was worse than in 2006, driving within the middle of the field and usually qualifying outside of the top ten. He scored six points over the course of the season for 15th overall with a best finish of fifth at the rain-affected {{F1GP|2007|Chinese}}.<ref name=RFBio/><ref name=MMagBio/>

===== 2008 =====
[[File:Jenson Button 2008 China.jpg|thumb|Button driving for Honda at the {{F1GP||2008 Chinese}}.]]
Button stayed with Honda for {{F1|2008}}, and continued to be partnered by Barrichello. He and a group of friends went to [[Lanzarote]] to establish a base to train for the upcoming season. Button was confident since the technical director [[Ross Brawn]] became Honda's team principal and noticed wind tunnel designs of the car.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=203–204}} Button began working with human performance coach Michael Collier that year.<ref name=BUTCurious/> The [[Honda RA108]] proved to be uncompetitive, and he scored three points that year because he finished sixth at the {{F1 GP|2008|Spanish}}.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=203–204}}

On the morning of 4 December 2008, the [[2008 financial crisis]] caused Honda to withdraw from F1, leaving Button's chances of a drive in {{F1|2009}} dependent on the team finding a buyer.<ref name="GuardianApr09">{{cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Maurice|title=Jenson Button: A driver reborn|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/12/jenson-button-brawn-formula-one-interview|work=The Guardian|date=11 April 2009|access-date=21 April 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306174517/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/apr/12/jenson-button-brawn-formula-one-interview|archive-date=6 March 2016}}</ref>{{sfn|Henry|2009|p=142}}{{Sfn|Button|2010|pp=3–7}} He was informed of the news by Goodard the day before and Button changed his plans to discuss the withdrawal with colleagues and not the performance of his 2009 car.{{Sfn|Button|2010|pp=3–7}} He declined an offer to drive for [[Red Bull Racing]]'s junior team [[Scuderia Toro Rosso|Toro Rosso]] because they would not give him a podium-winning car and they wanted sponsorship funding.{{Sfn|Button|2017|p=207}}

====Brawn GP (2009)====
Brawn purchased the Honda team for a nominal fee and renamed it as [[Brawn GP]] in early March 2009. Button signed a contract to drive for the team in {{f1|2009}}, and took a pay cut as part of the agreement. Although he was installed by bookmakers as a 100–1 outsider for the championship, Button's [[Brawn BGP 001]] car was quick and reliable in pre-season testing in Europe due to an efficient aerodynamic package, a powerful [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes-Benz]] V8 engine and grippy [[slick tyres]]. The car's seat was lowered to make him comfortable.{{sfn|Button|2010|pp=17–26}}

[[File:Jenson Button 2009 Turkey 2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Brawn BGP 001]] car that Button drove to win the {{F1|2009}} championship]]

Button won six of the first seven races with four pole positions,<ref name=BRDCWinter09/> having benefited from a double diffuser design making him and the Toyota and Williams teams faster than others.{{efn|Button matched the achievement set by former world champions [[Alberto Ascari]], [[Juan Manuel Fangio]], [[Jim Clark]] and Schumacher.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jenson Button hails 'monster of a car' after winning sixth race this season|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/08/jenson-button-turkish-grand-prix-victory-formula-one|work=The Guardian|date=8 June 2009|access-date=21 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612021256/http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/jun/08/jenson-button-turkish-grand-prix-victory-formula-one|archive-date=12 June 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}{{sfn|Button|2010|p=30}}{{sfn|Jones|2010|pp=118–119}}  Once the major teams had introduced their own reconfigured diffusers Button's dominance ended, averaging sixth position in the following ten races and scoring 35 points after accumulating 61 in the first seven.<ref name=BRDCWinter09>{{cite journal|last=Constanduros|first=Bob|title=Push the Button|url=http://www.brdc.co.uk/assets/Volume_30_No_476952.pdf|journal=BRDC Bulletin|volume=30|issue=4|pages=22–23|date=Winter 2009|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201056/http://www.brdc.co.uk/assets/Volume_30_No_476952.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This was due to the team spending 10 per cent of its allocated £7&nbsp;million budget on developing the car and Button's smooth driving style preventing him from generating heat into its tyres in cold weather.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=229–231}} At the {{F1 GP|2009|Brazilian}}, Button was hampered in qualifying by a poor choice of tyres in the wet weather and could achieve 14th position. His championship campaign was boosted by Vettel qualifying 16th, but team-mate and closest rival Barrichello qualified on pole. In the race, Button finished fifth, taking enough points to secure the championship with one round remaining.{{efn|With 169 starts, Button made the second-highest number of race starts before becoming World Champion. Only [[Nigel Mansell]] (with 176 starts) had competed in more races than Button before winning the World Championship.<ref>{{cite magazine | date = 22 October 2009 | title = Contents: 169 |magazine= Autosport | page = 3 | volume = 198 | issue = 4 }}</ref>}}{{sfn|Jones|2010|pp=118–119}} At the final race of the season, the {{F1GP|2009|Abu Dhabi}}, Button qualified behind Barrichello again, but finished on the podium in third position.{{sfn|Button|2010|pp=290–299}}
[[File:Jenson Button 2009 Italy 2.jpg|thumb|Button at the [[2009 Italian Grand Prix]]]]
In the off-season, Brawn and team principal [[Nick Fry]] informed Button they wanted him to sign an extension to his contract and be paired with [[Nico Rosberg]]. Button asked for a commitment to car development for 2010 and a close to a repeat performance of the 2009 season. Brawn and Fry said [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]] would buy-out Brawn GP without locating potential sponsors, which Button found unappealing and told his manager Richard Goodard he desired a new challenge.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=249–251}}

===McLaren (2010–2017)===
[[File:Jenson Button Bahrain 2010 cropped.jpg|thumb|right|Button's first race for [[McLaren]] was the {{F1GP||2010 Bahrain}}.]]

Goodard telephoned McLaren team principal [[Martin Whitmarsh]] to enquire about a drive for Button.{{efn|Whitmarsh noted discord between Button and Brawn from disputes over payment of bonuses from the driver's championship win and spoke to Button about his status after the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix.<ref name=F1MagJul13/>}} Whitmarsh did not believe Button would leave Brawn GP since they had won the Championship; Goodard mentioned McLaren's competitiveness at the end of 2009 and partnering 2008 world champion [[Lewis Hamilton]] appealed to Button. Discussions took place at the team's headquarters in [[Woking]] and a three-year deal was signed soon after.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=251–254}}<ref name=RacerApr11/> Button said he moved because he wanted the motivation and challenge from competing alongside Hamilton,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8369244.stm |title=Hamilton challenge excites Button |date=19 November 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 December 2010 |archive-date=31 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531064318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8369244.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but Whitmarsh cautioned the two before the start of the season he would observe any relationship problems between them.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Straw|first=Edd|title=Jenson Button: Cool and Quick and Oh So Clever|url=https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2010/7/AS08.07.10.pdf|journal=Autosport|volume=201|issue=2|page=54|date=8 July 2010|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225062045/https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2010/7/AS08.07.10.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2010====
[[File:Button Australia 2010 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Button took his first victory with McLaren at the {{F1GP||2010 Australian}}.]]
Button won at the {{F1 GP|2010|Australian}} and the {{F1 GP|2010|Chinese}} in variable weather to take the lead of the Drivers' Championship.<ref name="MMagBio" /> He later finished second in [[2010 Turkish Grand Prix|Turkey]] after a miscommunication with his team caused him to battle Hamilton for the victory. This cooled his relationship with Hamilton who believed McLaren favoured Button. He followed with two podium finishes and a trio of points scoring finishes to remain in contention for the championship.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=262–264}} Button retired at the {{F1 GP|2010|Belgian}} after Vettel hit him and punctured the radiator of his car. Second at [[2010 Italian Grand Prix|Monza]] was followed by a fourth place in both [[2010 Singapore Grand Prix|Singapore]] and [[2010 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]].{{sfn|Jones|2011|pp=86–106}} During the {{F1 GP|2010|Brazilian}} weekend, Button and his entourage were threatened by a number of criminals in the [[favela]]s on his way back from qualifying at [[Autódromo José Carlos Pace|Interlagos]]; nobody was harmed during the incident.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=266–269}} Button was mathematically eliminated from retaining the title with a fifth place in the race and took fifth in the championship with third in [[2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|Abu Dhabi]].<ref name="MMagBio" />{{sfn|Jones|2011|pp=86–106}}

====2011====
[[File:2011 Canadian GP - Winner (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Button celebrating his win of the {{F1GP||2011 Canadian}}]]

Button's [[McLaren MP4-26|MP4-26]] car for {{F1|2011}} was built around his taller frame from intra-team input in late 2010.<ref name=RacerApr11>{{cite journal|last=Hughes|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist)|title=Affinity and beyond: in Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, McLaren may have formed the ideal combo of talents and character traits|url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A252562642/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=804cf973|journal=Racer|date=April 2011|page=42+|access-date=4 May 2020|via=Gale in Context: Biography|url-access=subscription|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201108/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA252562642&v=2.1&it=r&sid=GPS&asid=804cf973|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ButtonCooper2011>{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|title=The story behind Button's greatest season|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/feature/4129/the-story-behind-button-greatest-season|work=Autosport|date=30 December 2011|access-date=4 May 2020|url-access=subscription|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201113/https://www.autosport.com/f1/feature/4129/the-story-behind-button-greatest-season|url-status=live}}</ref> He believed the introduction of [[Pirelli]] tyres that season would suit his smooth driving style and said a world championship victory would make it difficult for him to retire from F1.<ref>{{cite news|last=Riddell|first=Don|title=Button – new tires will suit my racing style|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/03/23/motorsport.f1.button.interview/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=24 March 2011|access-date=4 May 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415074125/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/motorsport/03/23/motorsport.f1.button.interview/index.html|archive-date=15 April 2011}}</ref> Button began the season by finishing no lower than sixth in the first six races with three podium results.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=273–274}} He won the rain-affected {{F1GP|2011|Canadian}} after two collisions dropped him to the back of the field and overtaking Vettel when the latter ran wide on the slippery track on the final lap.{{Sfn|May|2013|pp=109–113}} Button then won the {{F1GP|2011|Hungarian}}, which was held in similar weather, and the {{F1GP|2011|Japanese}}, but his results over the course of the season mathematically eliminated him from championship contention when Vettel took the title in Japan. Button took 3 victories and 12 podium finishes to finish runner-up with 270 points.<ref name="MMagBio" />{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=284–289}}

====2012====
[[File:Jenson Button (7448892238).jpg|thumb|left|Button practicing for the {{F1GP||2012 Canadian}}]]

Whitmarsh wanted Button to remain at McLaren for the next three years while the latter held talks with Ferrari about a race seat in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oricchio|first=Livio|title=Button na mira da Ferrari|trans-title=Button in Ferrari's sights|url=http://esportes.estadao.com.br/blogs/livio-oricchio/button-na-mira-da-ferrari/|work=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]]|language=pt|date=18 September 2011|access-date=17 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513183644/http://esportes.estadao.com.br/blogs/livio-oricchio/button-na-mira-da-ferrari/|archive-date=13 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the 2011 Japanese Grand Prix, he signed a three-year extension to his contract with McLaren.{{efn|Although the press reported that the contract extension would earn Button £85&nbsp;million, he states in his autobiography ''Life to the Limit'' that this was not the case.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=284–289}}}}{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=284–289}} Button was satisfied with the new [[McLaren MP4-27|MP4-27]] car due to McLaren finding a regulation loophole banning the blowing of exhaust gases over parts of the vehicle to improve downforce. A victory in the season-opening {{F1GP|2012|Australian}} and two-second-place finishes at the {{F1GP|2012|Chinese}} and the {{F1GP|2012|German}} were the highlights of his first half of the season.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=290–292}} His overall performance in the first seven races fell due to difficulty in generating temperature and the correct amount of grip into the new Pirelli short-life front tyres due to his smooth driving style and him switching brake materials multiple times to try and fix the issue made it worse.<ref>{{cite web|last=Allen|first=James|title=What's Happened to Jenson Button's Form?|url=http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/06/whats-happened-to-jenson-buttons-form/|publisher=James Allen on F1|date=14 June 2012|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618155739/http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/06/whats-happened-to-jenson-buttons-form/|archive-date=18 June 2012|url-status=dead}} </ref><ref name=AndersonBBC2012>{{cite web|last=Anderson|first=Gary|title=Jenson Button's smooth driving style is costing him points|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18669094|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 July 2012|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704212235/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18669094|archive-date=4 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Button changed the [[Racing setup|set-up of his car]] and adapted himself to the tyres to retain temperature for better performance.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Straw|first1=Edd|last2=Beer|first2=Matt|title=Jenson Button says early-summer form slump was due to set-up blind alley|url=https://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101875/|work=Autosport|date=21 August 2012|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823130056/https://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101875/|archive-date=23 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The rest of Button's season saw him achieve wins in [[2012 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]] and [[2012 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]] and top-five finishes in five of the next seven rounds for fifth overall with 188 points.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=298–300}}

====2013====
[[File:2013 Italian GP - Button.jpg|thumb|right|Button driving at the {{F1GP||2013 Italian}}]]

Button was joined at McLaren by [[Ferrari Driver Academy]] graduate [[Sergio Pérez]] for {{F1|2013}} and their relationship was cooler because the latter entered the team hastily.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}} He was appointed a director of the [[Grand Prix Drivers' Association]] (GPDA) in March 2013.<ref name=F1MagJul13/> McLaren built the [[McLaren MP4-28|MP4-28]] car not in advance of regulation changes for {{F1|2014}}, but from scratch.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}} This caused Button to drive an unstable car with understeer, a lack of downforce and severe tyre degradation.<ref name=ButtonF1RMay2013>{{cite journal|last=Rowlinson|first=Anthony|title=Button: the slings and arrows of F1 fortune have hit Jenson Button harder and sharper than almost any of his peers. yet entering his 14th season, he's standing stronger than ever. JB chatted to F1 racing about life, lycra, and being McLaren's out-and-out number one|journal=F1 Racing|issue=207|date=May 2013|pages=48–50|issn=1361-4487}}</ref> After finishing ninth at the season-opening {{F1GP|2013|Australian}}, McLaren introduced components from the MP4-27 onto the MP4-28, which had no significant effect and Button continued to attain sub-par results throughout the season with a best of fourth at the season-ending {{F1GP|2013|Brazilian}}.{{efn|Button broke his knuckle at a party before the {{F1GP|2013|Japanese}} attended by figures from the motor racing community. He drove the race in a strap, leaving the services of simulator driver [[Oliver Turvey]] and [[Kevin Magnussen]] unneeded.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}}}} He was ninth overall with 73 points. Button was involved in aggressive driving from his teammate Pérez early in the season in [[2013 Bahrain Grand Prix|Bahrain]] and [[2013 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]], annoying him.{{sfn|Button|2017|pp=302–308}}

====2014–2015====
[[File:Mclaren MP4-29 Jenson Button 2014 F1 Chinese GP.jpg|thumb|left|Button competing at the {{F1GP||2014 Chinese}}]]

He activated the terms of his contract to stay with McLaren for 2014 in September 2013,<ref>{{cite web|last=Galloway|first=James|title=Jenson Button confirms his 2014 McLaren contract is now in place|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/8929692/jenson-button-confirms-his-2014-mclaren-contract-is-now-in-place|publisher=Sky Sports|date=19 September 2013|access-date=4 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921235701/http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/8929692/jenson-button-confirms-his-2014-mclaren-contract-is-now-in-place|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> but considered taking a sabbatical from F1 following the unexpected death of his father in Monaco in January 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|title=Jenson Button admits he considered taking a year out of Formula One after his father's death|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10595207/Jenson-Button-admits-he-considered-taking-a-year-out-of-Formula-One-after-his-fathers-death.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=24 January 2014|access-date=4 May 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129012543/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/10595207/Jenson-Button-admits-he-considered-taking-a-year-out-of-Formula-One-after-his-fathers-death.html|archive-date=29 January 2014}}</ref> Button was joined by [[Kevin Magnussen]], with whom he was able to build a rapport, and the [[McLaren MP4-29|MP4-29]] car had an understeer from lacking front downforce and an unstable rear.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=321–323}} He finished third at the season-opening {{F1GP|2014|Australian}} after Red Bull Racing driver [[Daniel Ricciardo]] was disqualified for a fuel flow consumption infringement and his team lost a subsequent appeal against the decision.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stubbings|first=David|date=15 April 2014|title=McLaren keep double podium after Red Bull lose fuel appeal|publisher=GetSurrey|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-keep-double-podium-after-6991593|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418122332/http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-keep-double-podium-after-6991593|archive-date=18 April 2014}}</ref> It would turn out to be his final career podium. Button achieved a quartet of fourth-place finishes and scored points seven more times for eighth in the Drivers' Championship and 126 points.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button profile|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20838134|date=15 January 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215060502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20838134|archive-date=15 December 2014|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> Button qualified better than Magnussen ten times and scored twice as many points.<ref name=BUTContract15>{{Cite journal|last=Anderson|first=Ben|date=18 December 2014|title=Why McLaren Kept Jenson... Waiting|url=https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2014/12/AS2014.12.18.pdf|journal=Autosport|volume=218|pages=10–15|access-date=5 May 2020|number=12|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225011421/https://porschecarshistory.com/wp-content/old/lib/magazines/autosport/2014/12/AS2014.12.18.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Button Britain 2015.jpg|thumb|right|Button driving at the {{F1GP||2015 British}}]]

Button became unenthusiastic over F1 and the press speculated on his future in the sport with rumors Alonso would be Magnussen's teammate in {{F1|2015}}. He wanted to remain at McLaren but was made insecure about his career and told himself to concentrate on the present and not be concerned about the future.{{efn|Button's manager Richard Goodard received calls from several teams inquiring about Button.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|title=Button a wanted man, says manager|url=https://www.wheels24.co.za/FormulaOne/Button-a-wanted-man-says-manager-20141031?|publisher=Wheels24|date=31 October 2014|access-date=3 July 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704040419/https://www.wheels24.co.za/FormulaOne/Button-a-wanted-man-says-manager-20141031}}</ref>}}{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=321–323}} Dennis did not want Button to drive for McLaren but fellow team shareholder [[Mansour Ojjeh]] told him Button should remain over Magnussen after reviewing the situation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button has no guarantees over 2016 McLaren seat|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/33437682|last=Benson|first=Andrew|date=7 July 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709045216/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/33437682|archive-date=9 July 2015|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> Negotiations between Button and McLaren racing director [[Éric Boullier]] and team owner Ron Dennis concluded with an agreement for Button to continue racing on 10 December.<ref name=BUTContract15/> Button agreed to take a pay cut,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|date=11 December 2014|title=Jenson Button's salary slashed but McLaren driver is 'raring' to fight for world title again|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11288225/Jenson-Buttons-salary-slashed-but-McLaren-driver-is-raring-to-fight-for-world-title-again.html|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712163928/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11288225/Jenson-Buttons-salary-slashed-but-McLaren-driver-is-raring-to-fight-for-world-title-again.html|archive-date=12 July 2017}}</ref> with his contract containing the option for a second year; McLaren or Button were able to activate clauses to break the contract after the season if one of the parties desired it.{{efn|An option for a long-term contract was more complicated for Button because of the team's results from the 2014 season led to debate on each driver's strengths and weaknesses.<ref name=BUTContract15/>}}<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 October 2015|title=Jenson Button to remain at McLaren for 2016 F1 season|work=[[USA Today]]|agency=Associated Press|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/formula1/2015/10/01/jenson-button-to-remain-at-mclaren-for-2016-f1-season/73133922/|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201103/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/formula1/2015/10/01/jenson-button-to-remain-at-mclaren-for-2016-f1-season/73133922/|url-status=live}}</ref> Button struggled in 2015 due to an unreliable and an underpowered Honda engine lacking straightline speed,<ref name=MMagBio/> securing four top-ten finishes and a best result of sixth at the {{F1GP|2015|United States}}. He was rarely able to progress past the first qualifying session and took 16th in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=321–323}}

====2016–2017====

[[File:Button Bahrain 2016.jpg|thumb|left|Button competing in the {{F1GP||2016 Bahrain}}]]

He was retained by the McLaren team for {{F1|2016}} following contractual discussions with Dennis and meetings with aerodynamics and engineers at the [[McLaren Technology Centre]] (MTC). Button received a 50 per cent pay rise by staying at McLaren for another year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Daniel|date=8 October 2015|title=Jenson Button denies retirement talk was a ploy to boost his salary at McLaren|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11920719/Jenson-Button-denies-retirement-talk-was-a-ploy-to-boost-his-salary-at-McLaren.html|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211131326/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/jenson-button/11920719/Jenson-Button-denies-retirement-talk-was-a-ploy-to-boost-his-salary-at-McLaren.html|archive-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> He had considered returning to the Williams team but decided against it.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Jenson Button very nearly joined Williams for 2016' – The F1 Report|url=http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/10268260/jenson-button-very-nearly-joined-williams-in-2015|last=Croft|first=David|author-link=David Croft (broadcaster)|date=5 May 2016|publisher=Sky Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506041936/http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24180/10268260/jenson-button-very-nearly-joined-williams-in-2015|archive-date=6 May 2016|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> His car's new Honda engine was more powerful and allowed him to challenge for points-scoring finishes but reliability continued to hinder him and McLaren.<ref name=RFBio/> He finished 15 of the 21 races that year,<ref name=RF2016>{{Cite web|title=2016 F1 season driver rankings #14: Button|url=https://www.racefans.net/2016/12/08/2016-f1-season-driver-rankings-14-button/|last=Collantine|first=Keith|date=8 December 2016|publisher=RaceFans|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115201116/https://www.racefans.net/2016/12/08/2016-f1-season-driver-rankings-14-button/|url-status=live}}</ref> qualifying a season-high third at the {{F1GP|2016|Austrian}}, the highest start for the McLaren-Honda partnership. Button went on to finish the race a season-high sixth.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Finnerty|first=Joe|date=8 July 2016|title=McLaren-Honda's Jenson Button targets British Grand Prix success at Silverstone|publisher=GetSurrey|url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-hondas-jenson-button-targets-11584548|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215014759/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/other-sport/motorsport/mclaren-hondas-jenson-button-targets-11584548|archive-date=15 February 2020}}</ref> He was unable to finish higher than eighth thereafter and ended his full-time career with a suspension failure at the season-ending {{F1GP|2016|Abu Dhabi}}. Button took 15th in the Drivers' Championship with 21 points finishing better than Alonso five times and qualifying higher on four occasions.<ref name=RF2016/>

Before the {{F1GP|2016|Belgian}}, he told Dennis he planned to retire after the season.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=325–326}} Dennis asked Button to wait before returning for discussion to which he said he had already decided.<ref name=F1MagNov16>{{Cite journal|last=Roberts|first=James|date=November 2016|title=Jenson Button The Long Interview|journal=F1 Racing|issue=249|pages=37–43|issn=1361-4487}}</ref> He suggested Button take a sabbatical and mull over the decision to retire while resting and made Button an ambassador for McLaren.{{Sfn|Button|2017|pp=325–326}} He would work in the team's simulator at MTC, represent them at sponsor functions and attempt to help them in car development.<ref name=F1MagNov16/> Button was retained by McLaren as reserve driver with the option to return to full-time racing for the team in {{F1|2018}} if he and McLaren agreed to it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button turned down two offers to race in F1 for 2017|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/19386871/jenson-button-turned-two-offers-race-f1-2017|last=Saunders|first=Nate|date=15 May 2017|publisher=ESPN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021034221/http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/19386871/jenson-button-turned-two-offers-race-f1-2017|archive-date=21 October 2018|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> He was replaced as a GPDA director by [[Romain Grosjean]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grosjean replaces Button as GPDA director|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/grosjean-replaces-button-as-gpda-director-901685/901685/|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|date=4 May 2017|publisher=[[motorsport.com]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304173823/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/grosjean-replaces-button-as-gpda-director-901685/901685/|archive-date=4 March 2020|access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> In April 2017, Boullier asked Button to drive in lieu of the [[2017 Indianapolis 500|Indianapolis 500]]-bound Alonso at the {{F1GP|2017|Monaco}} and agreed after Goodard told him there was no way to get out of the commitment because he was contractually bound to drive.{{Sfn|Button|2019|pp=10–12}} He prepared in the team's simulator instead of testing in Bahrain because he would learn nothing by not driving on a narrow street circuit.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Oliver|date=26 May 2017|title=Jenson Button: 'I am not in Monaco to say goodbye. I am here to have fun'|work=The Daily Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2017/05/26/jenson-button-not-monaco-say-goodbye-have-fun/|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117103108/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-1/2017/05/26/jenson-button-not-monaco-say-goodbye-have-fun/|archive-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> He retired late in the race following a collision with Sauber driver [[Pascal Wehrlein]] that damaged his car.{{Sfn|Button|2019|pp=18–22}}

In November 2017, Button was replaced as McLaren reserve driver by [[FIA Formula 3 European Championship|2017 FIA Formula Three European]] champion [[Lando Norris]] for 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|last=de Menezes|first=Jack|date=6 November 2017|title=Lando Norris replaces Jenson Button as McLaren reserve driver with GP3 or F2 move on the horizon|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-grid-2018-lando-norris-mclaren-reserve-driver-replaces-jenson-button-f2-gp3-formula-1-a8040291.html|url-status=live|access-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413141643/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing/formula1/f1-grid-2018-lando-norris-mclaren-reserve-driver-replaces-jenson-button-f2-gp3-formula-1-a8040291.html|archive-date=13 April 2020}}</ref> His contract with McLaren expired without renewal at the end of 2017 allowing him to focus on other racing ventures.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenson Button has been 'brilliant' for McLaren, says Eric Boullier|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12479/11128955/jenson-button-has-been-brilliant-for-mclaren-says-eric-boullier|last=Galloway|first=James|date=27 November 2017|publisher=Sky Sports|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505125633/https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12479/11128955/jenson-button-has-been-brilliant-for-mclaren-says-eric-boullier|archive-date=5 May 2020|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref>

=== Williams senior advisor (2021) ===
In January 2021, Button rejoined Williams as a senior advisor on a multi-year deal. He assisted their race and [[Williams Driver Academy|Williams Academy]] drivers on-track and at the team's headquarters and conducted ambassadorial duties for the team.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitchell|first=Scott|title=What Button's Williams Return Really Means|url=https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-buttons-williams-return-really-means/|publisher=The Race|date=22 January 2021|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122145018/https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-buttons-williams-return-really-means/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was expected from Button to focus on the entire team and not one specific department, but he could not enter Williams' premises due to travel restrictions from the United States.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cooper|first=Adam|title=Williams boss explains the 'huge' impact Jenson Button is having on team|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/williams-boss-explains-the-huge-impact-jenson-button-is-having-on-team|work=Motor Sport|date=7 May 2021|access-date=31 May 2021|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215022/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/williams-boss-explains-the-huge-impact-jenson-button-is-having-on-team|url-status=live}}</ref> Forthwith, COVID-19 protocols restricted his bonding with the team since he was in the Sky Sports broadcasting bubble.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Noble|first1=Jonathan|last2=Jaeggi|first2=Erwin|title=Button eyes more Williams time in F1 as COVID restrictions ease|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/button-spend-more-time-williams-2022-season/6979034/|publisher=[[Motorsport.com]]|date=1 January 2022|access-date=1 January 2022|archive-date=1 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101152005/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/button-spend-more-time-williams-2022-season/6979034/|url-status=live}}</ref>