In the build up to the 2014 season, sad news passed through the Formula 1 paddock – the passing of Jenson Button’s father, John Button, aka ‘Papa Smurf’. He’s been a regular in the paddock since his son reached the dizzy heights of Formula 1 and is a character missed up and down the pit lane.
He pretty much trademarked the ‘pink shirt’ look in Formula 1, much like Jackie Stewart did with tartan caps and his tartan ‘troosers’. To show support for Jenson and commemorate John Button, the McLaren team and Jenson are promoting a #PinkForPapa campaign, inviting fans to buy the ‘pink for papa’ T-shirt from the McLaren store and ultimately ‘turn Silverstone pink’ for the British Grand Prix.
To show our support, Badger GP has now gone ‘Pink for Papa’ too and we’ll be encouraging all those coming to our British Grand Prix Bash in London at the weekend to do the same.
It’s a great campaign, good fun, raises money for charity and commemorates one of the great characters in Formula 1. We only have fond memories of the man, after meeting him at several events and enjoying a drink with him at pre-season testing where many laughs were shared as the photo below shows.
RIP John, RIP PapaSmurf
