Jenson Button will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in two weeks at COTA and the former Grand Prix driver believes F1 could learn a few things from the world of stock car racing.
Ahead of his appearance at Le Mans in June as part of a special project fielded by Garage 56 that will also feature seven-time NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson and 2010 Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller, Button will join Rick Ware Racing at the Circuit of the Americas later this month for a Cup Series baptism of fire.
The fifteen-time Grand Prix winner, who will join Kimi Raikkonen on the grid at COTA on March 26, has signed up to drive RWR's No. 15 Mobil 1 Ford Mustang in three races, but the Briton has made clear that he's not indulging in his big-bore NASCAR venture just for the fun.
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"When I throw myself into something, I am 100 percent in," he said. "I’m not just doing it for fun in some one-off.
"I want to be competitive, and I know that to be competitive, it’s going to take a bit of time. That’s why doing these three races works very well this season."
It's a whole new world that Button is set to enter and experience, although the Williams Racing advisor - a big fan of NASCAR - is quite familiar with the series' format.
Asked if Formula 1 could take a few pointers from America's premier motorsport series, Button offered one interesting suggestion.
"I think the great thing about F1 is they are very open to changes and tickling it here," he said.
"We have the sprint races, which I think work really well. Not everyone's going to be happy when you change a sport that has been the same for so long. But I like that change.
"In NASCAR they have stage points through the race. That could make it interesting because it depends on when you pit for tyres.
"If you get points at certain points through the race, if it's lap, 20 lap 40 and the end of the race, it might change strategies around who knows? I don't know if it would work."
However, Button believes Formula 1 – whose growth and popularity continue to trend higher – is currently in a good place, although he'd love to see the sport move towards lighter cars.
"I think F1 is in a great place," he added. "I enjoy the racing.
"The dream in F1 is that the cars are lighter, that's always the dream, because I think as drivers, we like lightweight cars – he says, as he's about to race a stock car!
"But I'm happy with where F1 is, as long as we're ready to tickle things here and there if we think it's necessary, and try it and not be afraid."
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