Honda Motor Co., Ltd and Mobilityland Corporation (Suzuka Circuit) announced on June 2nd that 2009 F1 World Driver Champion Jenson Button will participate in the 2017 AUTOBACS SUPER GT Round 6 "46th International SUZUKA 1000km" held on August 26th and 27th as the third driver of No.16 MOTUL MUGEN NSX-GT.
Briton is also expected to participate in a test organized by SUPER GT-supplier tire manufacturers at Suzuka Circuit on June 6th and 7th to drive No.16 MOTUL MUGEN NSX-GT.
This year's upcoming SUZUKA 1000km, a staple summer event of Suzuka, will be the last time to be held as a series event of SUPER GT. For that reason, "SUZUKA 1000km THE FINAL" is given to its subtitle. Ex-F1 champion's appearance will for sure uplift the atmosphere going into the event.
Jenson Button is from the United Kingdom and currently 37 years old, born in January, 1980. Button made his debut in 2000 with Williams. He moved to BAR Honda in 2003 and recorded his first win in 2006 at the Hungarian GP, which eventually counted up to 15 wins in his F1 career. In 2009, Jenson competed with Brawn GP and won six races and became a world champion. Briton stepped down from his tenure as a F1 regular driver at the end of 2016-season.
No.16 MOTUL MUGEN NSX-GT
A scene from 2016 "45th International SUZUKA 1000km"
Two sessions are scheduled for both days, from 9AM to 11AM and 1PM to 4PM. Since being a test organized by tire manufacturers, it may not have all series-participating cars taking part in testing. Details including participating cars, etc. can be obtained at Suzuka 1000km Information page in Suzuka Circuit's official website.
4/13-14 | Round1 OKAYAMA | |
5/03-04 | Round2 FUJI | |
6/01-02 | Round3 SUZUKA | |
8/03-04 | Round4 FUJI | |
Postponed | Round5 SUZUKA | |
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9/21-22 | Round6 SUGO |
10/19-20 | Round7 AUTOPOLIS | |
11/02-03 | Round8 MOTEGI |