Jenson Button reveals he ‘tried to get out’ of F1 team and spoke to Red Bull chief before winning maiden title

6 months ago 40

JENSON BUTTON has revealed he tried to leave his Formula One team before winning his maiden title.

In 2009 Button‘s F1 career was thrust into uncertainty with news of Honda‘s withdrawal from the sport.

Jenson Button has revealed he tried to leave Brawn GP before the 2009 F1 season[/caption]

Button revealed he held discussions with Red Bull[/caption]

However, ex-Benetton and Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn stepped in and rescued the team when he bought it for just £1, rebranding it to Brawn GP.

While appearing on This Morning, Button revealed he actually tried to leave the team before the season with his manager even speaking to Red Bull chief Christian Horner over a potential switch.

Asked whether he had any idea if the team were going to be as successful as they were, the 49-year-old said: “No. I mean I tried to get out of it because the team didn’t look like it was going to exist.

“So I asked around and my manager spoke to Christian Horner about a drive at his team and the junior team (Toro Rosso) and they said no all the contracts are done.

“So then it’s like okay let’s work hard to make this happen.”

He added: “We found some people who were interested in owning the team but I don’t think it would have worked out that way.

“Ross coming in and actually buying the team for a pound with his leadership was a big reason why it worked out.”

Button went on to win eight races from a possible 17 that season, including six of the first seven.

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The Brit opened up on his mental health struggles throughout the season as results began to turn sour in the second half of the year.

However, Button and Brawn held on to claim the drivers and constructors titles, which would prove to be Button’s only title in his F1 career before he raced in the sport for the last time in 2017.

Brawn had a 75.1 per cent stake purchased in it by engine supplier Mercedes at the end of the season.

While on the ITV programme, Button also revealed plans to return to motor racing next year.