Damon Hill Returns to Williams as Ambassador After 30 Years

1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill has officially rejoined the Williams team as an ambassador, three decades after his championship-winning season and subsequent departure. He returns alongside his former title rival Jacques Villeneuve and three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, filling a role previously held by Jenson Button.

Why it matters:

Hill's return is a symbolic homecoming for one of the most successful driver-team pairings in F1 history. It represents Williams's concerted effort to reconnect with its storied past and leverage its legendary figures to inspire its current rebuilding phase under Team Principal James Vowles, blending heritage with a forward-looking vision.

The details:

• Hill secured his sole Drivers' Championship with Williams in 1996, defeating teammate Jacques Villeneuve, but was informed during that season he would be replaced for 1997.
• His new role as an official ambassador focuses on celebrating the team's history and supporting its legacy and future commercial and brand activities.
• The move is part of a reshuffle of Williams's ambassador lineup, following Jenson Button's departure to Aston Martin in a similar capacity this past winter.
• Team Principal James Vowles emphasized the significance, stating it was "an honour" and that "few individuals represent this team quite like him."

What's next:

Hill, Villeneuve, and Chadwick will now be the public faces of Williams's heritage, expected to appear at key team events, sponsor functions, and media engagements. Their presence is designed to strengthen the team's identity as it continues its long-term project to climb back up the grid, using the weight of its past success to build a more competitive future.