Claire Williams regrets not being able to take Button back

The Italian Grand Prix was an opportunity to find out more about the 2017 grid. Felipe Massa confirmed his retirement at the end of the season while McLaren-Honda announced the replacement of Jenson Button by Stoffel Vandoorne.

The 2009 world champion assured that he had not been forced to give up his place to the reigning GP2 Series champion. The Briton proved it by confirming that he would stay at McLaren as third driver and that he had an option to return to the wheel in 2018.

This announcement disappointed Claire Williams, the Team Principal of Williams Racing, who hoped to convince Jenson Button to return to defend the colors of the Grove team with which he made his debut in 2000.

“Everyone knows we were interested in Jenson, confessed Claire Williams on Sky Sports. Why wouldn't we have been? He is very talented and would have been a superb driver for any team. Last Saturday's announcement is regrettable for the discipline and it came just after Felipe's. We are losing two magnificent drivers, true legends in the discipline. »

With the withdrawal of Felipe Massa and the announcement of Jenson Button, it is the development driver Lance stroll who emerges as a potential replacement for the Brazilian.

“I would have loved to have Jenson on the team, but unfortunately it didn't work out, lamented Claire Williams. It would have been a dream to have a British driver in a British team. I wish him the best for the future. You never know, maybe one day…”