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Unexpected and breaking news today as Williams announce former driver and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button is returning to the team in the role of senior advisor. He signs on a multi-year agreement, which sees his part-time work with Sky Sports F1 continue alongside his new responsibilities at the Grove-based outfit.
Jenson made his F1 debut with the team, run by Sir Frank Williams at the time, in the 2000 season alongside Ralf Schumacher. He made a solid start to his career picking up a best position of P4 as well as several other points-scoring finishes. Button raced in many other teams across his career, including being Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Mclaren, where he achieved what I deem as one of the best race victories of all time at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2011, as well as at Brawn GP where he won his 2009 world title. He will be bringing this wealth of experience to Williams with the aim of accelerating their charge back up the grid in the coming years.
Williams say he will support both race and academy drivers and will attend a number of races with Williams in 2021 as well as UK based events. He will also support their media and marketing activities when required, balancing this with his role as a pundit for Sky.
In a statement, Button said: “I am so delighted to once again be able to say that I’ve signed for Williams. Back when I was 19 it was a moment that changed my life and, despite the fact it was over 20 years ago, I already feel like I never really left. Sir Frank Williams showed faith in me which I will be eternally grateful for and I am incredibly excited to have the chance to come back and help the team as it strives once more for success. There’s a lot of hard work to be done but I have no doubt the future is incredibly bright for this fantastic team and I can’t wait to get started.”
Incoming CEO of Williams, Josh Capito, had this to say: “Bringing Jenson back on board is another positive step to help us move forward as a team both on and off track. Jenson has always been a friend of the team and so it is great to welcome him back into the Williams family. Back in 2000, Sir Frank saw the promising talent Jenson had as a driver and gave him his first opportunity in F1. He more than fulfilled that initial promise throughout a glittering career that culminated in world championship glory. More recently, he has shown his acumen in both the business and broadcasting worlds and remains a widely respected figure in the paddock. All this experience will add another layer to our transformation both technically and as a business. I know everyone at Grove has huge respect for him and we’re delighted to start working with him.”
Exciting times are ahead for Williams, and this signing will only boost them heading into 2021 and beyond.