Button won the British Karting Championship at just 11 years old, followed by the European Karting Championship at 17. In 1999, he emerged as the top rookie in the British Formula 3 Championship, finishing third overall and announcing himself as a rising star.

He made his Formula 1 debut in 2000 with Williams, immediately impressing by setting a new record as the youngest points finisher at the time in only his second race. After stints with Benetton in 2001 and Renault in 2002, he transferred to BAR Honda in 2003.

In 2004, Button played a key role in BAR Honda’s surge to second in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Ferrari. He claimed 10 podium finishes and ended the season third in the Drivers’ Championship, his strongest result to that point.

At the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, Round 13 of the season, Button delivered a masterclass. Starting 14th on the grid, he navigated treacherous wet conditions with flawless tire strategy and racecraft to secure his first F1 victory—his 113th Grand Prix start. His adaptability to changing track conditions and exceptional tire management were widely hailed as among the finest in F1 history. This victory marked Honda’s first win of its third F1 era, and its first as a factory team since 1967.

In 2009, Button joined Brawn GP, the team formed from Honda’s former F1 operation. With a dominant car at the start of the season, he won six of the first seven races, establishing a commanding championship lead. Although the latter half of the season proved more challenging, he successfully defended his advantage and captured his first World Championship in his tenth F1 season.

As the defending champion, Button moved to McLaren in 2010. From 2015, he raced for McLaren Honda, partnering with Fernando Alonso. Despite struggles with overall performance, Button’s veteran insight and detailed feedback were instrumental in supporting car development.

He retired as a full-time F1 driver at the end of 2016, making a one-off return at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix as a substitute. Since then, he shifted his focus to Japan, competing full-time in SUPER GT GT500 from 2018 with TEAM KUNIMITSU, driving the Honda NSX-GT. Paired with Naoki Yamamoto, he claimed the series championship in his debut season, achieving the rare feat of winning titles in both Formula 1 and SUPER GT.

Button concluded his SUPER GT career in 2019. From 2024 to 2025, he competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar class, and from 2026 onward, he serves as an Aston Martin ambassador, supporting the team with his extensive experience and insight.