Claire Williams, who held the position of deputy team principal of Williams Formula 1 team from 2013 to 2020, has secured a new role with one of the Grove outfit’s latest sponsors, Santander, as its F1 ambassador.
The Spanish bank partnered with Williams towards the end of 2024, aligning with Carlos Sanz joining the team after a four-year stint with Ferrari.
Williams has largely kept out of the spotlight since her exit from the deputy team principal role until making a number of appearances as a talking head in the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive.
Williams shared the announcement of her new appointment to social media, writing:
“Thrilled to join Santander UK as their F1 Ambassador.
“Incredible to be part of a brilliant day with their leadership team – talking all things performance, resilience and what it really takes to lead under pressure.
“Big thanks to Mike Regnier [Santander UK chief executive] and the team for the warm welcome and Jennie Gow [F1 presenter] for leading such a great conversation.
“Excited for what’s ahead.”
The new Santander F1 Ambassador had previously commented on her return to the sport through Drive to Survive, stating:
“I’m very mindful of what a privilege it is to be asked to do it. It’s one of the biggest sporting reality programmes on television and it’s beautifully made. I do however find it strange as I was once on the other side of the fence. Before, I would be on the show and people would be judging me.
Launch of the Frank Williams Academy with Claire Williams
Photo by: Williams
“Now one of my responsibilities sat in the chair as a talking head is to comment on what people in the sport are now doing.
“When I was in the sport, it was one of the things I liked the least about it – that you’re so exposed and people have so many opinions. So, when I agreed to do it, as much as it was a privilege, for me it was about how am I going balance being able to analyse and comment on people whose shoes I have walked in – and do it in a fair and positive way. It’s not easy.”
