F1 News, Reports and Race Results

It's a Williams showdown for Guy Martin and Jenson Button!

X (Twitter)X (Twitter)
FacebookFacebook
WhatsappWhatsapp

Motorcycle racer turned TV presenter Guy Martin will battle F1 world champion Jenson Button during a Williams showdown set to take place on the first day of this year's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Williams Heritage has teamed up with Channel 4 to rebuild the first Formula One car ever driven by racing icon Ayrton Senna. The classic FW08C will be entrusted to Martin who will take on Button on-board Williams' 1983 FW08B six-wheeler prototype.

The showdown is the culmination of a new documentary, Speed with Guy Martin: Classic F1 Driver.

To be aired on Channel 4 later this year, the documentary sees Guy embark on the huge challenge of rebuilding Keke Rosberg’s classic 1983 car.

Not only does he have to get to grips with the intricate engineering and specialised racing technology of a thoroughbred Formula One car; but he’ll also have to learn how to drive one of the most challenging motors on earth.

"I feel that I’m in good company behind the wheel of the Williams FW08C," said Martin;

"It was the first F1 car to be driven by the great Ayrton Senna and it won the 1983 Monaco Grand Prix.

"It’s been a real privilege to work with Williams on bringing this iconic piece of motoring history back to life. Jenson may be a world champion but with a stunning vehicle like this all bets are off."

©WRI

Jonathan Williams, who runs Williams Heritage is delighted to bring the legendary machines back to life.

"It has been great to open our doors once again to Guy Martin, this time engaging him with our Williams Heritage department.

"Guy has proved himself to be the consummate professional yet again, being both mechanically adept and having a real feel behind the wheel of a racing car.

"The FW08C continues to play an important role in our 41 years of racing history and we are pleased to offer both Guy and Jenson the opportunity to showcase some of the team’s history at Silverstone."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Sainz enjoys solid first day of testing with Williams in Bahrain

Williams enjoyed a productive opening day of pre-season testing on Wednesday in Bahrain where Carlos…

1 hour ago

Verstappen impressed by ‘good surprises’ in Red Bull’s RB21 debut

Red Bull made a strong start to their 2025 pre-season testing in Bahrain this Wednesday,…

2 hours ago

McLaren and Norris top Day 1 of pre-season testing in Bahrain

McLaren picked up in Bahrain where it left off at the end of last year…

3 hours ago

FIA mandates minimum two-stop strategy for Monaco GP

It’s official: the Monaco Grand Prix will be a mandatory minimum two-stop race starting in…

4 hours ago

Russell: ‘Quite a stretch’ to see Mercedes winning F1 title in 2025

George Russell is keeping it real regarding Mercedes’ prospects for 2025, admitted it’s “quite a…

5 hours ago

Horner brushes off rowdy crowd’s cold shoulder at F1 75 event

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner faced a fiery crowd last week at the F1…

7 hours ago