Yahoo Autos Jenson Button to drive his Jaguar C-Type at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Discontented sitting on the sidelines, 2009 FIA Formula 1 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,” said Button. “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 racetracks.”
Button adds, “The Rolex Reunion is such a special event celebrating beautiful machinery and catching up with good friends. I look forward to it.”
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,” he said. “Our guests will enjoy meeting the world champion.”
From his debut at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix to his last race at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, Jenson Button’s F1 career was filled with success: 15 Grand Prix victories, 50 podiums, and the ultimate prize of 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 races and started the centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a NASCAR entry.
Button brings a very historic Jaguar C-Type oozing with patina. Sold to its first owner, 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.
