Williams linked with the family name once again after Claire Williams starts "exciting" new role

Williams will have the family name linked with the team once again after Santander announced that former deputy team principal Claire Williams will become the UK bank's F1 ambassador.

The 48-year-old will join the British arm of the Santander Group, with the huge Spanish finance company one of the main sponsors of Williams for the 2025 season, linking the team back to their family name.

Williams took the reins of deputy team principal in 2013, becoming the de facto team boss and ran the Britsh team, helping them achieve a sort of renaissance between 2014 and 2017 after some previous poor years.

Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas celebrate a Williams double podium at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Williams speaks out on "new chapter" of her life

After being forced to put the team up for sale in 2020 and retiring as deputy team principal in the same year, Williams continued to be a key advocate for greater diversity and inclusion throughout motorsport and engineering.

Now, in this brand-new role, she will be working with the British part of the Santander bank to improve their business in and around the pinnacle of motorsport, meaning she will be back in contact with her namesake team.

Read also

Claire Williams still affected by losing family team: 'It was our life'

Williams team boss Vowles puts rumours to bed: 'Everything is the same'

"I am excited to kick off a new chapter as Formula 1 Ambassador for Santander UK," said Williams on her Linkedin page.

"There is plenty more to come from this partnership, and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead."

Santander UK CEO Mike Regnier was also very happy with the collaboration and excited to bring the 48-year-old in as its ambassador: "Claire is a really iconic female leader. She's going to inspire our people to be the best they possibly can. Our new partnership brings so many exciting opportunities."

It has been an exciting start to the season for the British team, with Williams looking to challenge for the best-of-the-rest spot on the grid, as Alex Albon sealed a P5 and P9 at the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix, respectively, to give the British-Thai driver back-to-back points finishes to start 2025.