Relive Jenson Button's F1 start with Williams in Aramco Presents: Rise of the Rookie
Jenson Button’s Formula 1 career with Williams didn’t get off to the most auspicious start. He was in a pub (already a bad start) when he received a call from someone claiming to be Sir Frank Williams and offering him a test drive – with Button believing that one of his friends was having a joke at his expense.
Fortunately, Button was eventually convinced that it was the real Sir Frank Williams, and a Formula 1 career that would begin in 2000 and ultimately yield the 2009 world championship was begun. Button had, in fact, been hot property before Williams managed to coax his signature out of him, with Prost, Jaguar and McLaren – with whom he’d ultimately spend the final seasons of his career – all attempting to woo the Briton.
LISTEN: Jenson Button on his 2009 title, his toughest team mate and more
But it was with Williams that Button made his debut at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix, the 20 year old becoming Britain’s youngest ever F1 driver in the process – before becoming the youngest ever F1 points scorer one race later at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hit play in the video player above and enjoy Aramco Presents: Rise of the Rookie, as we retell the story of how Button got his start in Formula 1 – then click here to relive 10 moments of Jenson Button brilliance.
Next Up
Related Articles
Verstappen reflects on Mercedes talks and F1 future
Our writers on the best drivers and stories from 2025
11 times F1 drivers took another driver’s car number
WATCH: F1 Animated returns for a look back at 2025
The elite group Norris joins as McLaren World Champion
Watch as the F1 grid does Secret Santa for 2025