Jenson Button and wife Jessica Michibata part ways

Jenson Button has split with his wife Jessica Michibata one year after getting married.

The McLaren-Honda driver had been dating the fashion model since 2008, with the pair tying the knot in Hawaii last December.

According to several reports in the UK, Button and Michibata elected to call time on their marriage due to conflicting work schedules, having never moved in together.

In a candid interview to the Mail Online earlier this year, the 2009 world champion confessed: “We don’t see each other any more than before we were married.

“I’m travelling so much with racing, I can’t say, ‘I’m going to have a weekend off from Formula 1 and come to Japan and see you’. And Jessie has work commitments that she can’t just drop either.’’

Button’s representatives have confirmed the split, while adding that the former couple remains on good terms.

“Jenson and Jessica have decided to go their separate ways and it is very amicable. There is no one else involved.”

Michibata has been a familiar face in the Formula One paddock over the past few seasons, with the Argentine-Japanese regularly in attendance on race weekends. The 31-year-old also enjoyed a close relationship with Button’s late father John, as the three of them were often pictured together celebrating.

Prior to marrying Michibata, 35-year-old Button had been engaged to pop singer Louise Griffiths.

2015 F1 season: F1i’s teams review