John Button byl závodník v rallye-crossu a svou vášeň pro rychlost brzy přenesl i na svého syna, jehož kariéru oddaně provázel po celý svůj život. V paddocku se objevovall pravidelně a, byl oblíbenou osobností a navštěvoval téměř všchny závody F1. Dnes ve věku sedmdesáti let zemřel, podle dostupných informací na infarkt.
"Během své kariéry jsem potkal mnoho tatínků závodníků, ale za sebe mohu bezpečně říci, že John byl možná ještě víc oddaný svému synovi než kdokoliv jiný," uvedl šéf McLarennu, současného týmu Jensona Buttona, Martin Whitmarsh.
"Od dob, kdy byl Jenson malý a závodil v motokárách mu byl po boku, pomáhal mu, podporoval jej a hledal peníze pro další závody. Když Jenson vyrosl, stále tam byl. A i když se z něj stal šampion a jeden z nejzkušenějších závodníků v poli, John byl stále loajální a doprovázel ho," popisuje Whitmarsh.
"John se stal nenahraditelným členem "rodiny" McLarenu. Nebyl to jen skvělý otec, ale také člověk. Bude velmi chybět - především Jensonovi, ale také lidem v McLarenu i v celém paddocku. Jsem si jistý, že všichni ve Wokingu i ostatních týmech se ke mně připojí v srdečném projevu upřímné soustrasti Jensonovi, jeho rodině a přátelům."
My condolences to all the Button family, especially to Jenson . Very sad news. John....a great man, a friend, we will miss him.
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) January 13, 2014
RIP John Button. So sad to hear that. All my thoughts to @JensonButton and his familly.
— Jules_Bianchi (@Jules_Bianchi) January 13, 2014
Sad to hear John has died, what a great character he was. Sincere condolences to @JensonButton & his family
— Eric Boullier (@eboullier) January 13, 2014
Deeply saddened by the passing of John Button. I'm so sorry @jensonbutton John was such a great man and will be missed by so many. God bless
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) January 13, 2014
So sad to read about the passing of John Button! He was a great man and will be missed by many - including myself! RIP
— Nico Hülkenberg (@NicoHulkenberg) January 13, 2014
So sad and shocked to hear the sad passing of John Button. One of the greatest characters in the paddock & will miss him dearly. #RIP
— Max Chilton (@maxchilton) January 13, 2014
So sad to hear John Button has died, a great character who will be missed. Sincere condolences to @JensonButton & his family at this time.
— Heikki Kovalainen (@H_Kovalainen) January 13, 2014
Very sorry to hear the news about John Button passing away.. Condolences to whole Button family , stay strong.
— Daniil Kvyat (@Dany_Kvyat) January 13, 2014
Very sad and shocked to hear about the death of John Button. A great character but above all a very kind man F1 will badly miss #johnbutton
— Paddy Lowe (@paddylowe) January 13, 2014
I'm very very sorry for my team-mate, @JensonButton. His dad was a really great guy who will be missed by all in #F1. #JohnButtonRIP
— Kevin Magnussen (@KevinMagnussen) January 13, 2014
Very sad day for formula 1 John Button one of the best person in the paddock lost his life yesterday… http://t.co/8Ig3zmjq2M
— Felipe1Massa (@Felipe1Massa) January 13, 2014
Such a nice guy!! RIP John Button!! You will be missed in the Paddock!!! All the best to you and your Family JensonButton !!!
— Sergio Perez (@SChecoPerez) January 13, 2014
John Button was a figure of the #F1 paddock. All my thoughts are with @JensonButton and his family tonight.
— Jean-Eric Vergne (@JeanEricVergne) January 13, 2014
— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) January 13, 2014
Very sad to hear about John Button. A real character who will be missed in the paddock.
— Susie Wolff (@Susie_Wolff) January 13, 2014
We join the motorsport community in passing on our sincere condolences to @JensonButton & his family on the sad news of John's passing. RIP.
— Caterham F1 Team (@CaterhamF1) January 13, 2014
Sincerest condolences to @JensonButton. His late father John was a remarkable character, full of personality, & great stories.
— FOTA (@ollyFOTA) January 13, 2014
We're really sorry to hear of the passing of John Button. Our thoughts are with Jenson and all of John's family and friends in this moment.
— Sahara Force India (@clubforce) January 13, 2014
Our thoughts are with Jenson & the Button family after the terribly sad loss of one of the F1 paddock's favourite characters, John Button
— Marussia F1 Team (@Marussia_F1Team) January 13, 2014
Deeply saddened about John Button's passing, a devoted father & great guy. Our thoughts are with Jenson & his family. http://t.co/c0ReA8GpBd
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) January 13, 2014
We're devastated to hear the tragic news about 'Papa Smurf'. Our hearts go out to @JensonButton, his family & friends pic.twitter.com/QvZN1TAuC0
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) January 13, 2014
We're shocked to hear about John Button. Many of the team knew him well, he was a great personality in the paddock and will be hugely missed
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) January 13, 2014
We join the many others in passing on our condolences to the family of John Button. God bless and RIP to a warm and funny man
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) January 13, 2014
We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Button. Our thoughts are with Jenson & all of John's family & friends at this time
— Williams F1 Team (@WilliamsF1Team) January 13, 2014
