As a Formula 1 world champion, Jenson Button is used to adoration when he jumps into a racing car. But not everyone is impressed by his skills on the track – namely his son Hendrix, three-and-a-half, who he shares with wife Brittny Ward.
After recently bringing the family along to watch him participate in a NASCAR race in Austin, Texas, the Somerset-born sporting legend asked Hendrix who his favourite driver was. And the answer wasn't what he expected.
"It was the first time my son and daughter have seen me race," Jenson, 43, tells HELLO! in an exclusive interview. "It was so nice to see them running around, enjoying that environment that I have lived with my whole life. My son is really into NASCAR and we watched a race before my one and he chose a driver called Byron to back. So when I raced, I said to him: 'Who is your favourite driver?' and he said Byron! I was like: 'Oh great! What about Daddy? Am I your second favourite?' And he said yes. I am trying to change his views on that."
Since retiring from F1 in 2017 he has got married, had children Hendrix and Lenny, two, with Brittny and moved to California while establishing a successful commentating career and working on other projects like his own whisky, Coachbuilt. He has also collaborated with high-end tailors Hackett, fronting their SS23 campaign for which he flew to South Africa in December last year. And the experience of shooting in a safari near Cape Town was just as incredible as the pictures. "To see wild animals was spectacular - but a little scary as well," he says. "I was saving safari to go with my wife but I can take her again."
Jenson and Brittny recently celebrated their first anniversary, which capped a busy few months. "We have been renovating two houses, one in Palm Springs and then another one where we are going to live, so it's been pretty hectic," he explains. "Date night doesn't happen anywhere near as much as it should, which is a shame, but we are working on that!"
When they do get time alone, they might go out for lunch together or to a beach. "We will go to Malibu and just relax and look out to sea. That is really nice for us both. That time for us to just talk to each other doesn't happen enough but when it does, it’s great.".
Keeping their active children busy is important and family days out often involved visiting a nearby park or beach or other attractions like the aquarium. "We love our kids, they are absolutely amazing and they are tough, especially our daughter. She knows what she wants. My mother-in-law says she is just like Brittny. I love their little personalities, they are so special."
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