Former Formula One world champion Jenson Button says he suffered from heat exhaustion and nearly withdrew from the race before finishing in 18th place on his NASCAR debut in Texas on Sunday.
The 43-year-old British man, who won the F1 world championship in 2009, said he was afraid of fainting while driving his Ford Mustang during the 68-lap race at Circuit of the Americas won by Tyler Reddick of Racing XI23.
“Finished 18th after almost stopping from heat exhaustion. It was too hot. I didn’t have a fan in my seat, which really didn’t help me much,” Button said.
“I stopped twice in a minute. They put ice on me, gave me plenty of water, and I went out.
“I almost got out of the car thinking I was going to faint. I must have drunk eight or nine bottles of water during the race. The team kept me calm and that’s why we got a good result in the end. So I was very happy.”
Next, Button will compete in the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2 before racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 13.
