Button 'a sounding board for ideas' at Williams - Roberts

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Williams team boss Simon Roberts says the Grove-based squad will rely on senior advisor Jenson Button as "a sounding board for ideas" this season.

The 2009 F1 world champion, who started his Grand Prix career at Williams in 2000, signed a multi-year agreement with his former team earlier this year to provide advice and guidance and help support the British outfit's race and academy drivers.

Alongside his duties with Williams, Button will also remain on Sky Sport F1's team of experts this season.

Roberts detailed the nature of the 15-time Grand Prix winner's collaboration with Williams in the upcoming campaign.

"Obviously, we have been talking to him and he is kind of supporting us in many ways, from an overall F1 business point of view and supporting the board and senior management team," explained Roberts.

"But once we get racing and he gets a little bit of time off, he can come and help. His ex-race engineer [Dave Robson] is with us so there is a really good relationship.

Read also: Williams has 'all the ingredients' to emulate McLaren - Capito

"So we are really looking forward to getting him into the garage, get some detail and get him doing what he does best, just talking to us, being a sounding board for ideas and getting the best out of his experience.

"I am sure the drivers will get to hear some good stuff from him and a few war stories along the way as well."

Williams chief executive Jost Capito, who managed McLaren in 2016 when Button was racing for the team, was instrumental in bringing the Briton onboard, and the German is looking forward to working once again with his former driver.

"Simon and I, we have worked with Jenson in the past. We have developed a very good relationship with him and he became a friend of ours," said Capito.

"It is great to have him on board. We were all supportive of the board to get Jenson in.

"I’ve had a couple of phone calls with him already and it is great to have someone of his calibre to share what we find.

"It is great to have him in the team just to have a chat, to have a second view. He is very professional and he has been a World Champion, he has done different series and is an expert in racing throughout.

"It is great to have a sparring partner like him, not only for me but for all of us."

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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.