Hertz Team JOTA and Jenson Button today announced that the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion will join the team full-time for the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
The 2024 World Endurance Championship will see Jenson Button compete full-time with Hertz Team Jota, driving their no. 38 Porsche 963 LMDh Prototype in the top level Hypercar category. Button will compete alongside teammates Phil Hanson and Oliver Rasmussen.
“There is no better team than Hertz Team JOTA…”
The move follows Button’s one off appearance at the 2023 running of the Le Mans 24 with the NASCAR Garage 56 entry, as well as an appearance at Petit Le Mans in October with JDC-Miller. Discussing the drive, Button expressed his excitement to compete with the team, noting the work required to prepare for the first race in Qatar in March.
“I’m thrilled to be racing with Hertz Team JOTA in the 2024 World Endurance Championship alongside my teammates Oliver Rasmussen and Phil Hanson,” he said. “Both already have a lot of experience in endurance racing and that is key.
“Endurance racing is about teamwork and there is no better team than Hertz Team JOTA to be taking on the big manufacturers in Hypercars. I’m already looking forward to the first race in Qatar but also know there’s a lot of work to be done so that we arrive prepared.”
“It’s just an out and out race team.”
Button also likened his enthusiasm ahead of the season to his 2009 Formula 1 championship winning season, saying he believes the privateer entry are capable of taking the fight to the numerous works teams competing in the Hypercar category.
“Hertz Team JOTA, a team that has achieved so much in it’s years,” Button said on Twitter. “The most achieving privateer team in WEC and at Le Mans, the big one. It’s just an out and out race team. That’s what I love about the team.
“I really do think they can take it to the big teams, to the manufacturers. Kind of reminds me of a season back in 2009, which was pretty good.”
Button is also set to experience the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January prior to his full-time debut with Hertz Team JOTA. He will compete in the WTR Andretti no. 40 Acura ARX-06 as a one off appearance.
“Everything is now in place for the WEC to have its most spectacular season yet.”
Speaking following the announcement, FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien called it an honour to have Button on board, as he too expressed his excitement for the upcoming season.
“It’s an honor to have Jenson Button — a hugely successful driver across many racing disciplines — competing full-time in the WEC next year,” said Lequien. “With nine manufacturers in the Hypercar category next year, including star names such as Jenson confirmed on the grid, everything is now in place for the WEC to have its most spectacular season yet.”
