The 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button will debut in the Japanese Super GT series in August, racing for Team Mugen Honda at the Suzuka 1000 km race.
Button will partner Hideki Mutoh and Daisuke Nakajima in the race, which takes places on 27 August at Suzuka, which is Japan’s premier tin-top series which can be likened to the German based DTM series.
The Briton will drive for the team for the first time on 6 and 7 June at a two-day tyre test.
“After driving an NSX CONCEPT-GT at Honda Racing Thanks Day last December, I became interested in racing in Super GT. I spoke with Honda and they have given me the chance to race at the Suzuka 1000km,” said Button.
“As an F1 driver and a member of Team Mugen, I will push to win. I am very much looking forward to racing in front of my Japanese fans again.”
As substitute for Indy 500 bound Fernando Alonso, Button returned to F1 in the Monaco Grand Prix. After qualifying an impressive ninth, Button was then hit by a series of engine-related penalties and crashed out of the race after tangling with Sauber’s Pascal Wehrlein.