Jenson Button has announced that he will be leaving Super GT at the end of the season, bringing his successful two-year stay in the series to a close.
Button dabbled in Super GT in mid-2017, taking part in the Suzuka 1000km, before committing to a full campaign with Honda for 2018, alongside Naoki Yamamoto.
Button and Yamamoto clinched the 2018 Super GT title and on Wednesday the 2009 F1 champion confirmed that he will not continue in the championship into 2020.
“Ahead of this weekend’s season finale in Motegi I wanted to take this chance to announce that it will in fact be my last race in Super GT,” said Button, who holds eighth in this year’s standings.
“When I decided to move away from Formula 1 I wanted to find a challenge which would scratch that competitive itch at the highest level and my two seasons in Super GT have certainly done that.
“Not only did I get to go on another journey with Honda, who have been a huge part of my racing career to date, but I also got to team up with Naoki.
“He is not only one of the strongest team-mates I’ve ever had but also a great guy and as a team we managed to win the Super GT championship in my rookie year, which is easily one of my proudest achievements.
“Throughout my career I’ve always highlighted Japan as a special place to compete because of the incredible fans and their passion for the sport, so to have the chance to compete there throughout the year has been an absolute honour and has produced some wonderful memories.
“I’d like to therefore take this chance to thank those fans, my brilliant teammate Naoki, the whole of Team Kunumitsu, who have this incredibly exciting combination of a relatively young group being lead by one of the legends of motorsport in Kunumitsu-San himself.
“They demonstrated unwavering passion and professionalism throughout and are a joy to work with.
“I’d like to also thank the entire Honda family for helping make this another brilliant chapter in my career. Let’s make this weekend count.”
