Former motorcycle racer Guy Martin is set to race against 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button in a pair of classic Williams cars at this year’s British Grand Prix.
Martin is set to step into the 1983 Williams FW08C Keke Rosberg used to win the Monaco Grand Prix, the same chassis in which Ayrton Senna had his first F1 test.
He will race Button in the unique FW08B, a six-wheeled car developed by the team but was banned prior to its competition debut.
The race will be filmed for Channel 4 in the UK as part of a documentary, Speed with Guy Martin: Classic F1 Driver, set to be aired later this year.
The documentary will follow Martin as he rebuilds and restores the FW08C before competing against Button during the Friday of the British Grand Prix.
“I feel that I’m in good company behind the wheel of the Williams FW08C,” said Martin.
Buy tickets
“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.”
Martin has worked with Williams before, forming part of the squad’s pit crew during the 2017 Belgian Grand Prix weekend as part of another television program.
“It has been great to open our doors once again to Guy Martin, this time engaging him with our Williams Heritage department,” said Jonathan Williams.
“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.”
The British Grand Prix runs from July 5-8.
Discussion about this post