Williams bring in Mercedes strategy director Vowles as team principal
Monday, 16 January 2023
The new signing is highly rated.
Williams have named James Vowles as their team principal for the 2023 Formula One® campaign, prising him from his role as Mercedes' strategy director.
The team finished bottom of the constructors' championship standings in 2022, the fourth time they have done so in the last five seasons.
That led Jost Capito to step down as team principal after two years at the helm, and Vowles will replace him on February 20 after being released from his contract with Mercedes.
Vowles has been with Mercedes since the team's 2010 inception, helping them win eight consecutive constructors' titles between 2014 and 2021 before they were usurped by Red Bull last year.
"I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing," Vowles told the team's website. "It's an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage.
"The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge.
"Williams Racing have placed their faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. The team has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks."
Williams' 2023 car will be launched on February 6, with newcomer Logan Sargeant set to partner Alex Albon in the upcoming campaign.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who previously worked at Williams, backed Vowles to make a success of his new role.
Wolff said: "While we are naturally sad to be saying goodbye to such a capable member of the team, I have no doubts whatsoever that he has all the necessary skills to become a fantastic team principal in Formula One®.
"We wish him every success and are delighted that he will take this next step in his career with Williams, a strong technical partner of ours and one that has a place close to my own heart."
