Jenson Button named special advisor to Williams

Jenson Button is (finally) back home Williams. Not as a driver but to support the historic team where he took his first steps in Formula 1 as holder. It was the year 2000. 

Young Jenson was only 20 years old at the time and supported Ralf Schumacher. Despite a solid rookie campaign, crowned with several points finishes, including a 4th place in Austria as his best result, the Briton was pushed out to make way for the Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya in 2001, winner of the Indianapolis 500 the previous year.

Button came close to returning to Williams in 2005-2006 but ultimately stayed with BAR-Honda following a double contractual imbroglio. Although he had signed a pre-contract with the Grove team, Button ultimately felt that the return of Honda as a full-fledged factory team offered him a better chance of success.

History proved him right since the Englishman scored his first career victory at the 1 Hungarian GP before winning a world title 2006 years later, even if he had to endure very difficult seasons and the departure of the Japanese manufacturer at the end of 3. .

At Williams, the 2009 world champion will have the mission of advising and guiding the historic team as well as its drivers, including the hopefuls of the Young Talent Academy. 

Button, who retired from F1 at the end of the 2016 season (he will be freelancing to replace Fernando Alonso at the 2017 Monaco GP), will be present at several Grands Prix in 2021. He will combine his new activities with his position as TV consultant on Sky Sports F1. 

« I am very happy to be able to say again: 'I signed with Williams!', enthused Button, who has a multi-year contract. I feel like I never left the team and remember with emotion this moment that changed my life when I was only 19 years old. 

Sir Frank Williams has shown his confidence in me and I will be eternally grateful to him. I can't wait to get back to the stable. We have work to do but I am confident for the future ». 

Jost Capito, who will take over as CEO on February 1, welcomed Button's return to Grove (UK). 

« Jenson's brilliant career proves Sir Frank was right, confided the German leader. In recent years he has been able to showcase his business acumen and remains a well-respected figure in the paddock. His vast experience will add an additional layer of skills to our transformation and mutation company, both technically and commercially. ». 

After hitting rock bottom in 2019, Williams began a long recovery process last year with a car more efficient but still far from the Top 10. The team mainly changed hands in September 2020 with the takeover of an American entity, Dorilton Capital, which took over from the Williams family.