MONTEREY, Calif. (Jun 27, 2024) – The competitive fire never diminishes in world-class athletes. Discontented sitting on the sidelines, 2009 FIA Formula One World Champion Jenson Button returns to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Aug. 14-17 not to sit idly by, but to race his 1952 Jaguar C-Type that was originally owned by six-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio.

“I love racing, it doesn’t matter in what form. I’ve raced everything from F1 cars to Trophy trucks in the desert. What I love about historic racing is how mechanical the cars are, you feel at one with it, and you have to treat it with respect. I’ve only raced my C-Type at Goodwood so far so I can’t wait to add Laguna Seca to that short list of historic race tracks.

“The Rolex Reunion is such a special event celebrating beautiful machinery and catching up with good friends. I look forward to it.”

Jenson Button

According to John Narigi, president of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Button’s participation in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion adds to the spectacle of the gathering.

“Mr. Button visited last year to enjoy the racing, and we are very excited to see him hustle his storied Jaguar C-Type around the track and down the Corkscrew. Our guests will enjoy meeting the World Champion.”

John Narigi, president of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

From his debut at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix to his last race at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, Jenson Button’s Formula 1® career was filled with success: 15 Grand Prix victories, 50 podiums, and the ultimate prize of being World Drivers’ Champion in 2009. The British driver is now applying his skills to endurance and classic races. In 2023, he participated in three NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) races and started the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a NASCAR entry.

Jenson Button is no stranger to the Rolex brand, which first partnered with the event in 2001, and nine years later became the Title Sponsor. Holding a long-standing relationship with the Swiss watchmaker, Button’s affinity with the brand dates back to 2000, when he made his debut in Formula 1® and purchased his first Rolex. In 2022, Button joined the Rolex family of Testimonees.

Button brings a very historic Jaguar C-Type oozing with patina. Sold to its first owner, racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio in 1952, this C-Type (commonly referred to by its chassis number XKC 018) was soon after shipped to Argentina where it was sold to Jose Millet. From there Millet campaigned the car extensively at events throughout the 1950s in South America including the 1955 and 1956 1000km of Buenos Aires.

More than 400 historic and period-correct race cars will compete in 13 classes at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of historic racing in Monterey. The racing will be supplemented by an incredible anniversary display that showcases the past featured marques, making it a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.

Single and multi-day tickets are available, with kids 15 and under admitted free where they can enjoy a kids zone and go-karts. VIP ticket packages for inside the Legends Club or pit row suites are available in limited supply. Tickets, parking and camping are available by calling 831-242-8200 or online at WeatherTechRaceway.com.