Jenson Button may be a famous British Formula 1 driver, but he’s happiest in life away from the racetrack. The 43-year-old, who made his F1 debut with Williams in 2000 and won the world championship with Brawn in 2009, married the stunning model and actress, Brittny neighborhood, in 2022 after a six-year romance. Together they are doting parents to four-year-old Hendrix and two-year-old Lenny.
“Winning a world championship was something very special and it will stay with me forever, but it’s nothing to have children and see them healthy and happy, that’s the best,” a- he declared exclusively. GOOD MORNING! during the launch of the new Hackett perfume collection. “It’s funny, because we’re sitting at home – my wife and I – watching the kids play in the yard. We look at each other and smile, and then we say, ‘We’re so lucky.’
With a shared love of cars, adventure, and each other, Jenson and Brittny’s relationship has gone from strength to strength — and it’s clear to see how supportive they are of each other.
The couple met through a mutual friend at a party in 2016. Asked about the moment he realized he was “in love” with Britnny, the father of two recalled: ” We were at an Italian restaurant and sat across from her and she just asked, “What do you do for a living?” And I was like, “Oh, I’m racing cars. » She was like, ‘Oh, cool.’
“She then said, ‘Oh, really? What kind of cars?’ I said, “Oh, lots of cars.” Then she said, “Oh, wow. Is this like NASCAR?” And that’s when I knew it was her because she had no idea what I did for a living. was important to me.”
He added: “You know, she loved me for who I was, and she was very sarcastic – being American, it’s quite unusual. She can understand British sarcasm, which I think is important in a relationship.”
The British-born racing driver proposed during a weekend in Malibu in June 2018, where they marked Britnny’s birthday. They planned to get married two years later, but the coronavirus pandemic derailed their plans. They finally exchanged vows in 2022 in Palm Desert, California, after delaying their wedding several times.
“I knew it was her because she had no idea what I did for a living”
Despite the delay in their wedding, Jenson is looking forward to celebrating their second wedding anniversary as well as their eighth anniversary since meeting in December. “I’m terrible (at making plans) but I think it’s going to be our eighth anniversary in a month or two, so that’s a big deal,” he shared. “Eight years have just passed. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we’ll do something special.
“I’m definitely home, which is good because I travel most of the time. I always make sure I’m home for birthdays and anniversary parties as much as possible. We’ll do something special, which will probably also involve children.
A very family man, the former F1 champion admitted that he was a little upset that his children preferred another driver. On how his children deal with his fame and whether they understand the enormity of his high-profile status, Jenson shared: “They came to one of my races this year – I’ve done three NASCAR races, so they came to one in Austin: They actually sat in the car right before the race started, which is pretty cool.
“They know I race, they know I’m on TV, but the racing part is what interests them both. I always ask my son, ‘Who is your favorite driver?’ And actually, it’s not me. It’s another NASCAR driver named William Byron. I think he just finished third in the NASCAR championship. “I’m like, ‘Oh, okay.’ So who is your second favorite driver? » And it’s like “Daddy.” So at least I’m second favorite. He’s pretty good.”
Last week, Jenson’s new documentary with Hollywood star Keanu Reeves, Brawn: The Impossible History of Formula 1, released on Disney+. Aside from competing in a few NASCAR races, filming documentaries and doing expert work, Jenson – who retired from F1 in 2017 – hasn’t completely given up on racing.
Next year he plans to return to the track and is eyeing the World Endurance Championship or the IMSA SportsCar Championship. “My fitness now is very different to when I was in F1,” Jenson explained when asked how he was preparing for his return.
“I lift a lot more weights now because you lose a lot of muscle mass when you hit your 40s if you don’t train.
“Strengthening everything up if you don’t have any injuries. I’m definitely a little heavier. That’s great, the fitness is there for racing. I’m going to do a little less in other areas so I can race . I have permission from my wife.”
As well as making the most of their time together when Jenson isn’t travelling, he and his wife Britnny, 33, often train together – a time he describes as very “special”.
“Initially, when I left F1, I trained even more because I qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship,” he shared. “I was training 20 hours a week but it was too much and it just didn’t fit my lifestyle. So now it’s an hour a day, every day when I’m at home.
“My wife loves boxing, so I just copy what she does and follow her example – just combinations and it’s great for reactions. I’m 43 now, so it’s good to keep good reactions.” He continued: “Working out is actually one of the best things for me and I also want to do most of my training with my wife. We don’t spend a lot of time alone together away from the kids, so it’s is pretty special.
“For example, on a weekend when the kids are off school, we love to go to Malibu. We are very close to Malibu and there is a farmers market, where we take a leisurely stroll. There is also a playground with swings and stuff that (the kids) love. When the kids are happy and they’re smiling, that’s all you want to see and it makes me very happy.”
“My wife and I don’t spend a lot of time alone, away from the kids, so this is pretty special”
There is no denying that he is a man of many talents, he is also the ambassador of British menswear brand Hackett. The very brand Jenson used on his wedding day, where they created a “suave bespoke” suit for him. Today, he has become the face of Hackett Absolute, a fragrance inspired by the unique atmosphere of London.
Of their long partnership, Jenson said: “I would never want to work with a brand or partner with something that doesn’t work for me. I am very fortunate to have been able to work with Hackett for all these years. It’s a brand that I really love and was doing before I got involved.”
It seems the motor racing star tends to gravitate towards “fresher” scents. “For me it’s more like when I walk out the door and I’m excited to be outside, I want to remember the beautiful sunshine, it’s like that all the time in California,” he said. to remark. “So that’s kind of what I like.”
Hackett Fragrances is the brand’s deep connection to London. Essential, Bespoke and Absolute, exquisite and distinct fragrances that embody the very essence of the British capital: classic with Essential, provocative with Bespoke and seductive with Absolute.
“I’m definitely not a perfume connoisseur, expert, or mixologist,” Jenson revealed. “But these scents are amazing and very wearable.”
