Paul Jeffrey
Premium
35 year old McLaren Honda star Jenson Button has split from his model wife Jessica Michibata after one year of marriage on 'amicable' terms, a spokesman for the British driver confirmed.
2009 Formula One World Champion Button is estimated to be worth around £35m and discussions about financial settlements with Michibata are at an early stage,
"Jenson and Jessica have decided to go their separate ways and it is very amicable. There is no one else involved. Jenson and Jessica did not have any financial arrangement before their marriage. There are ongoing discussions between them about money, but it's too early to say how it will pan out."
The couple first met in 2008 and have been together on off ever since. A brief split in 2010 was reconciled and the couple have stayed together despite pressures on both sides of the relationship with Button's racing commitments and and Michibata's high profile modelling career often leaving the couple at opposite sides of the world.
Button and Michibata last appeared together in public back at the American Grand Prix in Texas at the end of October, with the last updates the couple shared on their respective Instagram accounts being some seven weeks ago.
It is common knowledge that Jenson Button thrives in his tight family 'bubble' at Grand Prix weekends, drawing on the inspiration and support in difficult times as famously highlighted during his time together with Lewis Hamilton in 2011, the news of his split from Jessica will undoubtedly be a blow to the Frome Flyer in the run up to the 2016 racing season.
