#ByeByeButton

[jbtwentytwo]

Sebson Sunday (Nov 24th 2024)

Around these dates: November 24th - 27th 2016 (8 years ago) was the last weekend of Jenson Button's full season as a Formula 1 Driver with his final race in Abu Dhabi.

His news of retirement had actually been going rampant since 2015, which was why a journalist asked this question in Suzuka that same year. So, here's a nice statement from Seb about Jenson🥰

Question: Drivers come and go in this sport. Some quicker than others, as we know. It's Formula 1, the nature of the business, but what would it mean if, and still a big if yet, Jenson did decide to call it a day at the end of this season?

Jenson: Please be nice.

Sebastian: First of all, I think we don't know if that's the case. I think you tried to ask him, but yeah, I think he has his reasons whatsoever not to go further. Yeah, it would be a loss for sure, obviously. Yeah, I remember when I was a little kid and he was considered very, very young joining Formula 1. And I have to give you that he looked very young when he started with Williams.

Nowadays, though, you have guys with 17 starting already. So in that case, he was already old when he started, or I was quite old. But yeah, certainly, he's a big character. We know that he's quick. He deserves to be a champion. And I'm sure if there were more years where he had the package to win the big one, then he would have had a big say in that. So the quality is out of doubt. On top of that, he's a very fair guy on the track, outside the track. I think we all like him for many reasons, so it will be a big loss.

Jenson: Thank you, mate… start crying in a minute. I'm getting emotional.

[jbtwentytwo]

The Final Minutes of Jenson Button's Last Race - 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (feat. Standing Ovation from the Crowd)

(Judging by Crofty & Brundle's commentary, Jenson technically could still continue if he wanted to and let the team fix the car. And you know the team would do it because they all wanted Jenson to cross the finish line. I just didn't think Jenson wanted to anymore. As soon as he knew he was out, he was out. For good)

[jbtwentytwo]

Jenson Alexander Lyons Button, MBE

17 Seasons, 306 Starts, 15 Wins, 50 Podiums, 8 Pole Positions, 8 Fastest Laps, 1 World Championship (2009)

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2016

“It feels right. But it’s emotional. Saying goodbye to anything you’ve done that long is hard.” —Angela Ruggiero

[...] Surrounded by them all it struck me that most people when they leave work get a pint at lunchtime and a whip-round on their last day. Me, I got a guard of honour, Alain Prost, a cheering crowd, and best of all, a room full of the people I love.

- Jenson Button, Life to the Limit: My Autobiography

[jbtwentytwo]

Jenson at 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Post Race)

"I said before the race and social media, that this result means nothing. It's about having fun, it's about enjoying all the emotions with friends and family, and the team. And Formula 1 as a whole, and the fans. So, I've done that. It's just that [I] finished a little bit early but I can celebrate with the fans when I got out of the car which is awesome."

"McLaren(s) don't fail, we don't have failures. it's the weirdest thing, but maybe it happened for a reason. So, I'm gonna enjoy the rest of this day. My last day as F1 driver, well... I'm not anymore actually so I might as well just take all of this off *takes hat off* and have a jolly good time this evening with friends and family who I love very much."

[jbtwentytwo]

jeremyhancox: @JensonButton @McLarenF1 I know you’re “very definitely not retiring”, but… #F1 #Livery #SadFace

[jbtwentytwo]

Bonus! I decided to put this part on its own, without sound (just loving vibes🥰)

Oh Jenson, you are so so loved.

[jbtwentytwo]

From @JensonButton to the fans: "A massive thank you for your support, it's been a rollercoaster. I'm happy. I had a fantastic career" BUT: "Something failed on the car...It happened today of all days. You can't change the past, live in the moment and go and get a cold beer"

[jbtwentytwo]

jensonbutton: So I hear today is a pretty big day for me 😉 Today is the day that I will be strapped into an F1 car for probably the last time. It's been an eventful 17 years! I'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone that has helped and supported me through the years including family, friends, team members and fans and last but not least my Dad who I'm hoping is looking down on us with pride, miss you papa. From when the lights go out at the start of my final race here in Abu Dhabi to when the chequered flag drops I will give it my all and drive with my heart knowing that whatever happens today I will always know I reached my goal and dream in life to become a Formula One World Champion. I arrived with dreams and leave with memories. #JB22 #thejourneyisthereward

[jbtwentytwo]

Jenson at 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Pre-Race):

Denial -> Anger -> Bargaining -> Depression -> Acceptance

"I go into this weekend thinking it will be my last race. I think that's the best way to be." "At this moment in time I don't want to be racing in F1 past this race, and that was the whole idea. So I think of this as my last race, and hopefully everyone else does as well."

"I raced with two of the teams I dreamt of racing as a kid, Williams and McLaren. And when I did win the world championship it was with a privateer team (Brawn GP), which I think is also pretty special. Obviously a very memorable year in my life, and in the future something I'll hopefully be telling my grandkids all about - that we came from nothing and we ended up winning the world championship." "So, there are so many memories that I can't put them all out on the table right now. But that's a small clip it of my career, over 300 Grand Prix(s). And I will definitely step away from Formula One happy with what I've achieved and knowing that my life really does start now."

Article

[jbtwentytwo]

Jenson Button 'definitely not retiring' in 2017 || 2016 Italian Grand Prix (September 4th 2016)

"Definitely not retiring. Um… it should be Jenson Button's gonna do what he wants in 2017, and do the things that he's never been able to do as an adult. You know, my whole life as an adult has been driving a Formula 1 car, which is amazing. It's the best job in the world. But sometimes you need a break, and I wanna live by my schedule next year, and I wanna do things I've not been able to do. And I also wanna spend more time with my family, which I haven't done in 17 years."

Also as explained in his book

His (Ron Dennis) next idea was that I become an ambassador for the team, which was also an attractive proposition, given that it allowed me to keep a foot in the door. I liked the idea of keeping things open-ended. Just in case. We shook on it. And so, at Monza, on 3 September, I announced that I’d be retiring from driving but staying on as ambassador, so you won’t be getting rid of me that easily.

- Jenson Button, Life to the Limit: My Autobiography

[jbtwentytwo]

Hello~

Steve, 28, he/him, 🇮🇩 & an occasional Writer (AO3)

Favorite Driver: ⤵️⤵️⤵️

Jenson Button, my favorite driver AND my favorite WDC

Special Jenson's WDC 15th Anniversary post: here

#ByeByeButton <- A Retrospective on Jenson's Final F1 Season

Ongoing Projects: The Sebson Text & Sebson Sunday

Some quick navigations for you :)

I mainly post about my boy Jenson here, but if you're looking for other drivers or teams you could try by searching their names. Example: #sebastian vettel or #mclaren honda

My silly, little thoughts & writings would be tagged under #steve says in case you're interested (please do🥺)

Hope you all enjoy your visit here...