F1Today.net has received information that John Button, Father of the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson has sadly passed away at the age of 70 after suffering from a heart attack.
A racing driver himself, John finished as the runner-up in the RAC-MSA British Rallycross Championshp in 1976 and became a father in 1980 to Jenson who has raced in the Formula 1 World Championship since 2000. John was famously known for attending every Grand Prix that his son has raced in aside from the 2001 Brazilian Grand Prix.
He gained much publicity in 2009 when Jenson won the World Championship and became a much-loved figure around the F1 paddock because of his upbeat and positive attitude and love of wearing pink shirts.
A statement was released by Button's agent earlier today: "It is with great sadness and regret that I can confirm John Button passed away at his home in the South of France on Sunday. Whilst we await confirmation, initial signs would indicate a suspected heart attack. A close friend who was visiting John on Sunday was the first to discover the tragic news.
"John's children Jenson, Natasha, Samantha and Tanya and the rest of the family are clearly devastated and ask for their privacy to be respected during this extremely difficult time."
We here at F1Today.net would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the Button family at this difficult time.
Tom Brooks
F1 Editor
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