Williams signs F1 champion Damon Hill as ambassador on 30th anniversary of title

Williams F1 has reunited with 1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill as an Official Ambassador, marking the 30th anniversary of his title-winning season. He joins an ambassadorial lineup that includes former teammate Jacques Villeneuve and W Series champion Jamie Chadwick, strengthening the team's connection to its storied past as it builds for the future.

Why it matters:

This move is a powerful symbolic gesture for Williams, a team deeply rooted in history but currently in a rebuilding phase under James Vowles. Bringing back a homegrown champion from its last dominant era serves to inspire the current team, reinforce its brand identity, and connect its legacy of success with its ambitions for a competitive return. It also fills the ambassadorial role left vacant by Jenson Button's move to Aston Martin with a figure of equal stature and specific relevance to Williams.

The details:

• Hill's return comes precisely three decades after he secured the 1996 drivers' championship with Williams, a season where he claimed eight victories.
• His history with the team is foundational: after two years as a test driver, his race seat from 1993-1996 yielded 21 wins, 20 poles, and the 1996 title—making him the first son of a champion (Graham Hill) to win the crown.
• He joins an ambassador team featuring Jacques Villeneuve, his 1996 teammate and the 1997 champion, and Jamie Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion who will also provide advisory support to Williams' new F1 Academy driver, Jade Jacquet.
• Team Principal James Vowles emphasized the significance, stating Hill "played a defining role in one of the most successful eras in our history" and that the ambassadors reflect the team's history, commitment to talent development, and competitive ambition.

What's next:

Hill's role is less about technical input and more about embodying the team's heritage and standards. As Williams continues its methodical rebuild with new team leadership and investment, figures like Hill, Villeneuve, and Chadwick provide a living bridge between the team's glorious past and its future aspirations. Their presence is intended to motivate the workforce at Grove and remind the F1 world of the pedigree the team is striving to reclaim.