Button joins Williams as advisor

Williams Racing has announced that 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button will rejoining the Grove-based outfit as Senior Advisor in a multi-year agreement.

Williams Racing in embracing another change to its structure for the coming season. The team, which was acquired by US investment firm Dorilton Capital last August, confirmed today that Jenson Button will rejoin the team as a Senior Advisor.

The announcement is the latest step of the overhaul of the team following the decision taken over the recent months. In September, Williams revealed that founder Sir Frank Williams and his daughter Claire would step down from their leadership roles with immediate effect. Simon Roberts was appointed Team Principal, while Jost Capito has been named as CEO of the company.

Button, who won 15 Grands Prix, secured 50 podium finishes throughout his F1 career made his debut in F1 with Williams when he got the opportunity from Sir Frank Williams to race alongside Ralf Schumacher in the 2000 season. He subsequently moved on to drive for the likes of Benetton/Renault, BAR, Honda, McLaren, and Brawn where he claimed the world title.

Speaking about the announcement, Jenson 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,“ Button concluded.

Williams Racing“s incoming CEO Jost Capito said: “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.”