DNF
The 12th lap retirement
brought down the curtain on
a career spanning 17 years
and 305 races, and one
championship with the Brawn GP
team that became Mercedes.
“Forgetting the race —
I’ve always said it’s one race
weekend out of 305. The result
doesn’t matter, it’s the weekend
that counts and it’s just been
awesome,” Button told the BBC.
“Very emotional… amazing
day and an amazing weekend.
I’ve really savoured every
moment of it.”
He will be replaced at
McLaren, whose most recent
victory was provided by the
36-year-old in Brazil in 2012, by
Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne.
Button had started the day
recognising it was a momentous
one for him.
“Today is the day that I will
be strapped into an F1 car for
probably the last time,” he had
said on his Instagram feed,
promising to give it his all from
the moment the lights went out to
the chequered flag.
“Whatever happens I will
always know I reached my goal
and dream in life to become a
Formula One World Champion.
I arrived with dreams and leave
with memories.”