Claire Williams rejoins the F1 world as Santander ambassador, rekindling ties with Grove and the paddock — quietly but proudly.
Former Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams is making a quiet but heartfelt return to the world of Formula 1 — and it’s closer to home than expected.
Thanks to the support of current Williams team boss James Vowles — a vocal admirer of Sir Frank Williams and his family legacy — Claire has stepped into a new role as an ambassador for Spanish bank Santander, one of the team’s key sponsors brought on board by Carlos Sainz.
While it’s not a full return to the daily grind of Formula 1, this new position allows Claire to re-engage with the paddock from time to time — and reconnect with the sport that once shaped her life.
“I’m thrilled to join Santander as their F1 ambassador,” she shared.
“It’s been incredible collaborating with their leadership team — we’ve talked about performance, resilience, and what it really means to lead under pressure.”
Claire also expressed her gratitude:
“Huge thanks to Mike Regnier [CEO of Santander UK] and the whole team for the warm welcome, and to Jennie Gow [F1 presenter] for such an inspiring conversation.”
“I’m genuinely looking forward to what’s ahead — and to catching up with my old team now and then.”
Though she stepped down in 2020 after leading Williams through one of its most challenging eras, Claire never fully cut ties with the sport. She’s remained visible as a contributor on Netflix’s Drive to Survive, offering insight with the perspective only an insider can provide.
“Being part of Drive to Survive gave me a way to stay connected — but with some distance,” Claire explained.
“That chapter of my life is closed. Running Williams was everything — it was my family, my father’s team. But that era is over.”
Still, the passion clearly remains.
“I’m a firm believer in new beginnings. No one’s going to ask me to come back to Williams, and I doubt I’ll be offered another role in F1 — being a Williams makes that complicated.”
“But contributing to the show lets me share my love for the sport, and that’s something I’ll always hold close.”
“F1? I still miss it every single day.”
For Claire, like so many in the sport, that love never really fades:
“There’s something truly magical about Formula 1. It grabs you in a way few things can — and that feeling never quite goes away.”
“Yes, I miss it. But life is full of exciting new chapters, and I’m embracing them.”
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Back in the Game: Claire Williams’s F1 Comeback Begins Back in the Game: Claire Williams’s F1 Comeback Begins
Back in the Game: Claire Williams’s F1 Comeback Begins Back in the Game: Claire Williams’s F1 Comeback Begins
