Formula One world champion Jenson Button’s late father had a suite named after him at a north Kent karting circuit.

Buckmore Park, near Chatham, has been taken over by Kent-based motorsport legend John Surtees OBE and was officially re-launched yesterday.

Surtees won the Formula One championship in 1964 after winning seven world motorcycle championships.

 

 

 

The picturesque track he has taken over is recognised as one of the UK’s best and has been a training ground for champions such as Lewis Hamilton and Button.

The John Button suite, in memory of Jenson’s dad, has been painted pink and features two photos of John and Jenson, specifically chosen by the son. A specially framed pink shirt also graces its wall in honour of John Button.

For many Formula 1 fans, the pink shirt is synonymous with John Button, who was also affectionately known as ‘Papa Smurf’.



As well as the suite, an all-new fleet of 50 new karts – in Team Surtees blue and yellow livery – were unveiled.

Great British Bake Off presenter Paul Hollywood demonstrated the kart while Formula Ford champion Scott Malvern took to the track in the Formula Two car in which John Surtees won the Imola Gold Cup and Japanese Grand Prix in 1972.

John Surtees said: “I first created an association with John Button when he supplied Henry’s first Comer kart engines from his Rocket company.  Both Jenson and my late son Henry enjoyed success in their karting careers here at Buckmore Park. 

He added: “The John Button Suite here at Buckmore, will serve as a lasting tribute to John Button too.”