Jenson Button not doing joint DTM/Super GT races at Fuji
One-time Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has confirmed he will not compete in the DTM and SUPER GT's joint-races at Fuji in November
Button drove without his fellow 2018 SUPER GT champion team-mate Naoki Yamamoto at Hockenheim's precursor to the so-called "SUPER GT x DTM Dream Race".
It is expected that Yamamoto will drive by himself at Fuji for the Kunimitsu Honda operation as Button has revealed he is not contracted to take part in the event as it is not part of the 2019 SUPER GT campaign.
It is unclear whether the DTM or SUPER GT will attempt to find a solution that means Button will compete at Fuji after all, but the event is set to clash with Button's planned appearance in the off-road classic Baja 1000.
Autosport has approached DTM organiser ITR and its SUPER GT counterpart GTA for comment on Button's non-participation.
When Button was asked by Autosport why he will not compete at Fuji, he said: "Because I wasn't asked to. That's why.
"And to be fair it's not in my contract, so I want to be at home. Travelling a lot this year, a bit too much to Japan, so it's nice to have time at home."
Button is yet to make a decision on where he will race next season and confirmed to Autosport he is interested in new opportunities.
The Kunimitsu Honda driver combined his SUPER GT campaign in 2019 with a partial '18/19 World Endurance Championship season and appeared in the Mint 400 in Las Vegas in preparation for taking on the Baja 1000.
Button said that he now wants "to try something different".
He added: "I like trying new things, learning and [I've] been there for two years [in SUPER GT] it's been fantastic.
"I want to do something different next year. I don't know what yet."
It is understood the final driver in the DTM's seven-car Fuji line-up will be confirmed by BMW next week and it is expected to be one of its factory DTM drivers.
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