At just twenty years of age, Jenson was one of the youngest drivers to ever compete in a Grand Prix, but racing was nothing new to this youngster. He began his racing career at the tender age of eight and as a raw novice he was required to start right at the back for his first event. In horrendous conditions he managed to get by the entire field to take victory. He won the British Kart Super Prix in 1989, showing from an early age that he was championship material.

From that moment on, he continued to challenge and succeed and for the next four years he repeatedly won the British Cadet, British Open and British Junior TKM Kart Series'. In 1994 he was fourth in the British Junior Kart series as well as winning races in both the Junior Intercontinental A European and Junior Intercontinental A Italian Winter Kart series'. Then the following year, he was not only the champion in the Senior ICA Italian Kart Series, he also became the youngest ever runner-up in the World Formula A Kart Series.

He remained in the world of Karts, continuing to blitz his fellow competitors for glory, until 1998 when he made the switch to the British Formula Ford series and European Formula Ford. Driving for Haywood Racing, Jenson won the title in British Formula Ford, and came in second in the European series. He also won the Formula Ford Festival the same year. In 1999 he was third in the British Formula Three series, and earned the honour of top rookie.

Frank Williams, who was dissatisfied with his then driver, Alex Zanardi, decided that the young Button had the potential for greatness and decided to sign him to drive alongside Ralf Schumacher in the year 2000. He had a lot of pressure on his young shoulders and a lot to live up to, but he proved his many critics wrong throughout his debut year in the series, scoring 12 points and finishing eighth in the championship.

Still under contract to Williams, Jenson moved across to Benetton for 2001 where he spent a dismal year in a constantly developing car. The team languished at the back of the grid throughout the majority of the season and although 2002 was better and he managed to secure a total of 15 points overall, that first ever podium finish continued to elude him.

Replaced by Fernando Alonso for the 2003 season, Jenson made the switch to British American Racing where he will partner 1997 Champion, Jacques Villeneuve.