Will Buxton confirms departure from Formula 1: Here's why
F1 News
- Sandy van Wijngaarden
Will Buxton has been a regular face at F1TV for many years. The British journalist will only focus on another form of motorsport from this season onwards. On Instagram, Buxton shared an emotional explanation of his choice.
"A decade ago I reported on my first Indycar races, including my first visit to IMS(International Motor Speedway.) I fell in love with the place immediately. The history, the passion, the emotion that whips through the air as the cars rocket past you, sucking the air from your lungs, breathing tradition and understanding into your soul. On my final day, I was presented with a Culver block, one of the bricks that once lined the entire speedway. It was at the time, and remains today, the most humbling gift," Buxton began on Instagram.
"I have always loved Indycar, always been enthralled by the excitement of its racing and stunned by the skills of its incredible drivers. And while I always hoped that one day I might, I never imagined that I ever actually would have the opportunity to join the series full time. That I will get to do so in the role and with the responsibility that I do in 2025 is a tremendous honour. And while I am unbelievably excited, I am only too aware of the enormity of the task I am undertaking, and the trust placed in me.
"Racing is my life. My deepest passion. Its drivers are my heroes. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had a job for the past two decades that revolves around telling their stories. And beyond that, a job that I’ve always believed is about taking the fans on a journey, whether through the page or through the screen, to the heart of the racing world. To make them a part of the sport they love. That has been and will always be why I do what I do."
Buxton confirms farewell to F1
It remained unclear whether the Briton would remain involved in Formula 1, but he now clarifies he won't. "I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone at F1TV for seven incredibly happy years. I’m so proud of all we created and all we built and I’m excited to watch 2025 shake out, admittedly, for now at least, from my couch," Buxton said, and added, "My year and my racing season will begin in St Pete.
"I’m so grateful to FOX for this once in a lifetime opportunity, so thankful to everyone at the NTT Indycar Series for the warm welcome they’ve already extended, and so invigorated for the years ahead. Indycar stands at the gates of one of the most exciting and important periods in its history," said the Briton, lauding the American based racing series.
"Alongside Hinch, Townsend and the world class team behind the scenes at FOX, I can’t wait to get started and to present to you all, the fastest racing on earth," Buxton concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels too!