Button to race for JOTA Porsche in 2024 WEC

With the Hypercar era of WEC booming, an unprecedented array of manufacturers with serious campaigns are lining up the best and most experienced drivers possible as the quest to beat the dominant Toyota Gazoo team to the title is ramping up.

Ferrari caused a stir when they returned to the top flight of sportscar and endurance racing, famously victorious at Le Mans last year, with former F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi winning the race with Antonio Fuoco and Alessandro Pier Guidi.

The 43-year-old Briton, a 15-time Grand Prix winner in 206 starts in Formula 1, will drive the #38 Porsche 963 in the premier Hypercar Class with Oliver Rasmussen and Phil Hanson.

Button told the official FIA WEC website: “I’m excited to be racing with Hertz Team JOTA in the 2024 World Endurance Championship alongside my teammates Oliver and Phil. Both already have a lot of experience in endurance racing, which is key.

"Endurance racing is about teamwork and there is no better team than Hertz Team JOTA to be taking 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," ventured Button.

The former McLaren F1 driver last competed in WEC during the 2018-2019 Super Season under the SMP Racing banner in the WEC’s LMP1 era. This year Button was part of the NASCAR-backed Garage 56 special entry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans

He also competed at IMSA's season-closing Petit Le Mans in October getting his first taste of the Porsche 963 machinery run by JDC-Miller.

The timing is good for Button, and perhaps more drivers of his stature to shift to endurance racing as the WEC becomes increasingly attractive, with the likes of the abovementioned Toyota, Porsche and Ferrari in the mix next year along with the likes of Alpine, Lamborghini, BMW and Peugeot. More intend to enter WEC Hypercars shortly.

FIA WEC CEO, Frédéric Lequien commented: “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," predicts: Lequien.