Button planning full-time return to racing in 2024

Jenson Button says he's seeking a full-time return to racing next season, with the WEC and IMSA on the Briton's radar.

Button's recent outing at Le Mans with Hendrick Motorsports' Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro entry and his part-time schedule this year with Rick Ware Racing in NAQCAR Cup have revived the Briton's flame and inspired him to undertake a full season of top-level competition in 2024.

The 2009 F1 World Champion last committed to a full season in racing in 2019 when he competed in the Japanese Super GT series.

Button says he's sounding out opportunities in the World Endurance Championship but also Stateside in the IMSA series.

"I didn’t think that I’d want to do a full season again, because of how busy the schedule always is, but I feel that I’ll be racing in something next year doing the full season," said Button, speaking ahead of next month's NASCAR Cup Chicago Street Race,

"It’s great doing one-off races but you don’t get the best out of yourself, and that’s why doing three races here in Cup is really good, because I get to spend more time with the team and in the simulator and really get to work with my engineer, my crew chief to develop the skills between us and to develop an understanding.

"So, yes, I want to do a full season next year, time permitting. I need to balance a few things as I’ve been very busy this year. It will be endurance racing, which will be either IMSA or WEC."

Read also:

• Button: 'Max is gone, championship is definitely his'

Button said his involvement with Hendrick Motorsport's Garage 56 project had led to him spending time with NASCAR president and Grand-Am founder Jim France, which has broadened his network of contacts in the US.

"Jim is very passionate obviously about NASCAR but he was also very passionate about bringing NASCAR to the endurance world," added the Sky F1 consultant.

"He was at most of our tests, and to see the smile on his face and excitement every time the car passed it really showed how passionate he is about his racing."

Button said the prospect of "learning" and embarking on new "challenges" continue to fan the flames of his passion.

"I have jumped around doing lots of different things over the years, basically because I wanted to race in those series, and I’ve been very lucky to be able to jump into certain cars and race," he said.

"I feel I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ve won the world championship in F1, I achieved what I set out to do. Now I’m going racing because I love racing.

"I love learning new things, and the challenges are what keeps me going, otherwise I wouldn’t be racing anymore."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter