Button rejoins Williams as senior advisor
Jenson Button has joined Williams as a senior advisor on a multi-year agreement 21 years after making his Formula 1 debut for the team.
Button drove for Williams as a 20-year-old rookie in 2000, before going on to score 15 victories and the 2009 drivers’ title for Brawn GP in a career spanning 17 years.
Since making his final F1 appearance for McLaren at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, Button has competed in Japan’s Super GT series and raced in WEC.
Williams revealed Button’s role see him “provide advice and guidance to the team at Grove, along with helping support and develop both race and academy drivers”.
It also confirmed the Briton would attend a number of races with the team, alongside his media duties as a pundit for Sky Sports F1 which he will continue in 2021.
“I am so delighted to once again be able to say that I’ve signed for Williams,” Button said.
“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.”
It marks another key appointment by Williams’ new owners Dorilton Capital, with Simon Roberts remaining as team principal on a permanent basis and former Volkswagen boss Jost Capito joining as CEO.
“Bringing Jenson back on board is another positive step to help us move forward as a team both on and off track,” Capito said. “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.”