Jacques Villeneuve is set to return to the Williams Formula 1 team, as announced by the British racing stable on Monday. Nearly thirty years after the Canadian won his first and only world championship with Williams, he is now becoming an ambassador for the team. Jenson Button and Jamie Chadwick will also continue as representatives of the historic British brand.
“Williams has been a crucial part of my life,” Villeneuve responded in an official press release. “I have very fond memories of that time. I am ecstatic to be part of the family again, to celebrate the team’s heritage and to support its future at the same time.” Villeneuve won Williams’ last driver’s title in 1997. It was only his second year in Formula 1; he had previously claimed the IndyCar championship.
‘Perfect Ambassadors’
Regular Williams ambassadors Jenson Button and Jamie Chadwick will also remain closely associated with the British racing stable. Button, who made his Formula 1 debut with the team in 2000, became world champion with the then Brawn GP in 2009. After his retirement in 2016, he rejoined Williams in 2019. Chadwick is a three-time champion in the W Series and was included in the team’s ranks in 2019.It is a privilege to have Jacques, Jenson, and Jamie on the team,” said team boss James Vowles. “Together, they can perfectly represent this iconic team; the history we have written, our tradition of investing in future champions and making motorsport more accessible, and our ambition to write history again. Jenson and Jacques made their Formula 1 debut with Williams and became world champions, while Jamie has pushed boundaries for women in motorsport. We are very pleased that they are part of the next chapter in the story of Williams.”
Jacques Villeneuve became the world champion with the Williams team in 1997.
