Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button will return to full-time racing in 2024 with Hertz Team Jota in the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship, sharing driving duties with compatriot Phil Hanson and Denmark’s Oliver Rasmussen in the #38 Porsche 963.
The star recruit last competed full-time in Japan’s 2019 Super GT Series and has since made cameo appearances in DTM, Extreme E and NASCAR. He was also one of four drivers to compete in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans in the NASCAR-backed Garage 56 entry.
Button got his first taste of 963 machinery with JDC-Miller in the season-ending Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.
“I’m excited to be racing with Hertz Team JOTA in the 2024 World Endurance Championship alongside my teammates Oliver Rasmussen and Phil Hanson,” the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion said.
“Both already have a lot of experience in endurance racing, and that is key. Endurance racing is about teamwork, and there is no better team than Hertz Team JOTA to take on the big manufacturers in Hypercars.
“I’m already looking forward to the first race in Qatar, but I also know there’s a lot of work to be done so that we arrive prepared.”
FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien adds, “It’s an honour to have Jenson Button – a hugely successful driver across many racing disciplines – competing full-time in the WEC next year.
“With nine manufacturers in the Hypercar category next year, including star names such as Jenson confirmed on the grid, everything is now in place for the WEC to have its most spectacular season yet.”
The addition of Button adds further flair to a World Endurance Championship grid that will see the largest-ever Hypercar contingent of 19, represented by Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Isotta Fraschini, Lamborghini, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota.
Those numbers may grow for key events, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with IMSA’s GTP class now eligible to compete in events further afield.
The 2024 World Endurance Championship begins with the Qatar 1812km on March 2.
New Zealander Brendon Hartley will return to seek his fifth title, having won the 2023 edition, while Earl Bamber features for Cadillac Racing.
