Jacques Villeneuve rejoins Williams as an ambassador, 27 years after winning the team’s last F1 title

In a stunning return, Jacques Villeneuve has rejoined Williams F1, the team with which he won the 1997 world championship, 27 years after his departure. The Canadian driver, who remains the last man to secure a title for the historic outfit, will serve as a team ambassador in 2025, working alongside fellow former champion Jenson Button and three-time W Series winner Jamie Chadwick.

Villeneuve’s brief but legendary tenure at Williams saw him win the F1 title in just his second season after switching from CART racing in the United States. However, after a lacklustre move to British American Racing (BAR) in 1999, where he endured a pointless debut season, his career never quite recaptured the same magic. Over the next seven seasons, he only managed two podium finishes before fading from F1’s competitive landscape.

Despite his time away from Williams, Villeneuve has remained an active voice in the sport, particularly through his punditry on Sky Sports F1, where his outspoken analysis often makes waves. His new role with Williams will see him involved in promotional activities, media engagements, and historic car demonstrations, similar to the duties undertaken by Button and Chadwick. However, his ambassadorial position is unlikely to interfere with his growing broadcast career, which he has expressed interest in expanding further.

Button, who rejoined Williams in 2019, continues to balance his ambassador role with racing for Cadillac in the World Endurance Championship, while Chadwick remains deeply involved in Williams’ junior programme, mentoring Lia Block in the F1 Academy.

For Williams, bringing back their last world champion signals a renewed connection to their golden era as they strive to reclaim their place among F1’s elite. With Villeneuve back in the fold, fans will be eager to see whether his presence can help inspire the team’s long-awaited resurgence.