Williams Racing Ambassador and 2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button got back behind the wheel of a Formula One car at the Silverstone circuit on Sunday morning.
Button, who made his Formula One debut with Williams in the year 2000, drove Nigel Mansell’s 1992 championship winning FW14B.
The laps around Silverstone were part of Williams Racing’s 800th Grand Prix start which comes later today and speaking about the opportunity to drive the iconic car around such a historic circuit, Button said:
“It was unbelievable! 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 I only did two laps! What a pleasure. I feel so lucky to have been able to drive that car. It’s a moment I’ll remember forever.“