Williams has announced that 1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has returned to the team in an ambassadorial role for the upcoming 2025 season.
Having excelled in American single-seater racing with an IndyCar title and an Indy500 win, Villeneuve embarked upon a new venture in F1 with Williams back in 1996.
The Canadian won on his fourth F1 weekend at the Nurburgring and took three more victories that season to end up runner-up to team-mate Damon Hill, who then departed.
Alongside Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Villeneuve secured Williams a championship double as he beat Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher to the crown in a controversial showdown at Jerez.
However, Villeneuve’s success would come to a halt as the Grove-based squad’s competitiveness plummeted, prompting him to exit once the 1998 campaign concluded.
Villeneuve, though, still remains the last driver to have claimed a title driving for Williams, the team having not taken a single race win since the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix.
Villeneuve has reunited with the side as an ambassador, a role that 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button and three-time W-Series champion Jamie Chadwick have retained.
“Williams has been a crucial part of my life, filled with fond memories,” Villeneuve said.
“I am ecstatic to be part of the family again, and to help celebrate the team’s heritage while supporting its future.”
Button and Chadwick retain Williams involvement
Button, who also began his F1 career with Williams in 2000, has been back with the British outfit since 2021 when he was appointed as a senior advisor to its drivers.
“Williams gave me my first shot in Formula 1, and it’s incredible to be celebrating 25 years since that debut this year,” Button expressed.
“Being an ambassador for this team is a privilege, and I’m excited to continue contributing to its legacy and future.”
Meanwhile, Chadwick, who raced in the Indy NXT support series in 2024, has been associated with Williams since 2019 when she initially joined as a development driver.
“Williams has been a huge part of my career and journey in motorsport over the last four years,” Chadwick added.
“I’m proud to continue representing the team in 2025, challenging myself to keep developing as a driver and helping to mentor the next generation of racers coming through F1 Academy.”
Williams boss James Vowles described it as a “privilege” to have Villeneuve alongside Button and Chadwick, labelling the trio as the “perfect representation of this iconic team”.
“Jenson and Jacques made their F1 debuts with Williams and went on to become World Champions, while Jamie has broken boundaries for women in motorsport as a Williams Racing driver and mentor to Lia. We are delighted to have them as part of the next chapter in Williams’ story,” he concluded.
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