At Silverstone, Williams began celebrations of its 800th Grand Prix with a special livery and a host of events.
Part of those involved 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button demonstrating Williams’ title-winning 1992 car, the FW14B, ahead of the race on Sunday morning. The FW14B, regarded as one of the most iconic Formula 1 machines, dominated the 1992 season in the hands of Nigel Mansell. Button, who made his debut in Formula 1 for Williams in 2000 and is now an ambassador for the team, was wide-eyed after the experience.
“It was unbelievable,” he said. “It was pretty emotional to drive the car that really was the car from my childhood. I remember sitting on the sofa with my old man watching all the races and seeing Nigel clinch the title, and this was the car he won that championship for Williams in. Once you get on track, the sound of that engine is so beautiful. You never know what to expect driving a heritage car - this one is 31 years old - but it’s very quick! The high speed is sensational and far beyond what I expected.”
And keep an eye out on Williams’ various social media channels—on Tuesday it will be revealing the Gulf-inspired livery that it will run at Grands Prix in Singapore, Japan and Qatar later this season.
