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

©Williams

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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.

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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."

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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.