John Button (27 July 1943 – 12 January 2014) was an English competitor in rallycross and a recognizable figure in British motorsport circles. He is widely known as the father of 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button. Button's best recorded season came in 1976, when he finished second overall in two prominent British rallycross series.

Career and achievements

Button took part in the British rallycross scene during the era when the discipline was establishing itself as a popular form of short-circuit mixed-surface racing. His most notable season was 1976, when he placed runner-up in both the Embassy/RAC-MSA British Rallycross championship and the TEAC/Lydden Rallycross championship. These results are among the best-documented highlights of his competitive career.

About rallycross

Rallycross combines elements of rallying and circuit racing, typically featuring head-to-head heats on short tracks that mix tarmac and gravel. The sport emerged in the United Kingdom in the late 1960s and attracted a range of drivers from different backgrounds. Competitors such as Button helped sustain national series and local events that formed the backbone of the sport through the 1970s and beyond. For a general introduction see rallycross.

Personal life and legacy

John Button was born in London. Beyond his own racing, he is remembered for his connection to his son's motorsport career and for being part of a broader community of privateer racers who kept grassroots motorsport alive. Accounts of modern British racing often note his presence in that generation of competitors and supporters.

  • Born: 27 July 1943, London.
  • Best season: 1976, second overall in two British rallycross championships.
  • Family: father of Jenson Button, 2009 F1 World Champion.

Death

John Button died at his home in the south of France on 12 January 2014 at the age of 70. Reports at the time indicated that the cause was suspected to be a heart attack. His passing was noted across motorsport media and by members of the rallycross and racing communities.

Though not as widely publicized as some professional drivers, Button's career illustrates the role of dedicated national competitors in developing motorsports like rallycross and supporting the next generation of racers.