Atlas Air and GA Telesis host Jenson Button in Miami F1 Dinner

Atlas Air Worldwide and GA Telesis co-hosted an exclusive dinner recently in Miami following the Formula One Miami Grand Prix, bringing together senior leaders from across the global aviation industry for an evening of candid conversation with 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

The event, held in Atlas Air's capacity as the Official Logistics Partner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, featured a moderated Q&A session with Button, who is now serving as Aston Martin F1 Team Ambassador. The interaction was led jointly by Atlas Air Worldwide CEO Michael Steen and GA Telesis CEO Abdol Moabery. Topics ranged from the realities of building a career in elite motorsport to the physical demands of race day preparation and, notably, the growing conversation around mental health in professional sport.

Button traced his journey to Formula One back to a Christmas gift. "My dad bought me a go-kart, and he took me to an airfield," he recalled. "I got bored pretty quickly." It was his first competitive race, however, that changed everything. "I won my first race, and I remember standing on the podium and looking at the drivers that finished second and third; their trophies were smaller than mine. At that moment, I knew this was for me."

His path to Formula One was not without difficulty. Button received his first opportunity to drive an F1 car at 19, initially as part of a prize with McLaren, before impressing in a test for the Prost team. That performance caught the attention of Williams F1 founder Frank Williams. "He reached out and said, I'd like to have a chat about racing in Formula One," Button said. "He kind of took me under his wing."

Across 17 seasons, Button accumulated 17 race wins, 50 podiums, and 1,235 championship points, claiming the drivers' title with Brawn GP in 2009.

Button was candid about the financial barriers facing aspiring drivers. "The chance of getting to Formula One is 0.01%," he said. "It's millions and millions and millions before you even get close." He acknowledged, however, that scholarships offered by teams at junior levels were beginning to broaden access, with some programmes identifying talent as young as 11 or 12.

To a question from Steen on the prospect of a woman competing in Formula One, Button expressed optimism, citing the growth of the F1 Academy as a meaningful step. "I think it would be amazing if we could get a woman in Formula One in the next ten years," he said. "They have to get there by talent; that's the most important thing."

The evening also served as a platform for a joint campaign on men's mental health, launched in partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team, the Miami Dolphins, and Movember. Steen noted the direct relevance of the issue to aviation, pointing to the demands faced by Atlas Air's 3,000 pilots.

Button spoke with rare candour about his own experiences. "If I had help through certain years, I would have performed better," he admitted. "Back then, it was thought of as a weakness to be outspoken about weakness in yourself." He welcomed the shift in attitude now visible in the sport. "It's not a weakness to speak your thoughts on where you are mentally."

Atlas Air Worldwide is the world's leader in outsourced aviation logistics, operating the world's largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft. The parent company of Atlas Air, Titan Aviation Holdings, and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, it employs approximately 5,000 people and serves customers across more than 300 destinations in 90 countries.

GA Telesis is a global leader in aerospace solutions, recognised for its aftermarket services and aircraft lifecycle management. Its ecosystem spans 54 locations across 30 countries on six continents, offering integrated services including parts distribution, MRO, engine overhaul, leasing, and inventory management.

To spotlight the logistics behind the world's biggest events from Formula One to the FIFA World Cup, and circus tours to mega music concerts, we welcome you to our upcoming conference - Global Event Logistics Summit (GELS) 2026 on May 28–29 at The St. Regis Bangkok, Thailand.