Jenson Button will return to Williams in 2021 as a senior advisor after the 2009 Formula 1 world champion signed a multi-year agreement with the team.
Button made his F1 debut with Williams in 2000, and claimed 15 race wins and won the world title with Brawn nine years later, before making his last Grand Prix start in 2017 with McLaren.
Button has remained involved in motorsport since leaving F1, focusing primarily on sports car racing through the Super GT and the World Endurance Championship, as well as supporting a British GT team. .
He will now make an official return to F1 in the new role of senior advisor at Williams, as announced by the team on Friday.
Button “will provide advice and guidance to the Grove team, in addition to helping support and develop racing and academy drivers,” Williams said, and will be on hand for a number of races with the team until 2021, as well as maintaining his expert role for Sky Sports F1.
“I’m very happy to be able to say once again that I signed for Williams,” Button said.
“At 19 it was a life-changing moment and despite being over 20 years ago, I already feel like I never really leave.
“Sir Frank Williams has shown confidence 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 they strive for success again.
“There is a lot of work to be done but I have no doubts that the future is incredibly bright for this fantastic team and I can’t wait to get started.”
Button’s arrival is the latest change in leadership at Williams following Dorilton Capital’s takeover of the team in August and the departure of the Williams family.
Simon Roberts has now taken on the role of full-time team director, while former Volkswagen Motorsport chief Jost Capito has become its new CEO.
“Jenson’s return on board is another positive step in helping us move forward as a team on and off the track,” said Capito.
“Jenson has always been a friend of the team so it’s great to welcome him back to the Williams family. In 2000, Sir Frank saw Jenson’s promising talent as a driver and gave him his first opportunity in F1.
“He more than fulfilled that initial promise throughout a distinguished career that culminated in world championship glory.
“More recently he has shown a keen eye in business and broadcasting and remains a widely respected figure in the paddock. All of this experience will add another layer to our transformation both technically and as a company. .
“I know everyone at Grove has tremendous respect for him and we are delighted to start working with him.”
