A mighty Williams FW22 Formula One car originally driven by Jenson Button in his debut F1 season will thrill visitors at this year’s Donington Historic Festival (2, 3 & 4 May) when it takes to the track as part of the historic F1 car demos on the Saturday and Sunday of the event. Few of those present will ever forget the unmistakable sound of that 800+bhp BMW E41 V10 engine echoing around Donington Park in the more-than capable hands of six times Indy 500 entrant James Davison!
Appearing at DHF 2025 courtesy of Williams Heritage, FW22-00 was used early in the 2000 season as a test car for both Jenson Button and Ralf Schumacher, with Schumacher testing it at Barcelona, Silverstone, Kyalami and Jerez and Button doing so at Silverstone and Barcelona. 2000 marked the start of a new era for Williams, its new engine partnership with BMW proving highly successful over the next six years, starting with Williams BMW taking third place in the Constructors’ Championship that first year.
Ralf Schumacher finished the 2000 season in fifth place in the Driver’s Championship and Jenson Button took eighth place. 2000 was Button’s rookie year in Formula One - Williams BMW snapped up the talented youngster in the face of interest from a range of other teams, including McLaren. Button became Britain's youngest-ever F1 driver, beating the record previously held by Stirling Moss. He went on to set another record that year when, at the Brazilian Grand Prix, aged 20 years and 2 months, he became the youngest driver at that time to score a World Championship point. It was a precursor of things to come, and in 2009 Jenson Button took the World Championship crown, driving for Brawn.
Historic motorsport fans will be treated to a tremendous weekend of racing and entertainment at Donington Historic Festival on Friday 2 – Sunday 4 May. Click here to view the timetable.
Advance discounted ticket prices start at just £15 for adult Friday entry, with discounts for teens aged 13-15. The three-day weekend ticket represents exceptional value at just £45 for adults and £28 for teens. Under 13s are admitted for free. For further information and to secure tickets click here.