Williams have introduced former Mercedes motorsport strategist James Vowles as their new group principal, filling the place vacated by Jost Capito.
The group relieved Capito of his place as group principal after virtually two years on the finish of the 2022 season. Technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison was additionally let go on the identical time.
Vowles had been appearing at Mercedes’ motorsport technique director below group principal Toto Wolff for the previous 4 seasons. He has spent his complete two-decade tenure in F1 on the Brackley-based group, together with its earlier identities as Brawn GP, Honda and BAR.
Vowles stated it was an “honour” to be named as group principal for a group “with such an extremely wealthy heritage” as Williams.
“The group is an icon of our sport, one I drastically respect, and I’m very a lot wanting ahead to the problem,” Vowles stated.
He thanked Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff as he moved on from the group which swept each constructors championship between 2014 and 2021.
“Mercedes have been vastly supportive on my journey, and we half on wonderful phrases after over 20 years of working in Brackley,” stated Vowles. “I’m grateful for every little thing Toto and the group have supplied, and it has been such a particular expertise to journey collectively by means of failure and success.
“Williams Racing have positioned their religion and belief in me, and I’ll do the identical in return. Williams has large potential, and our journey collectively begins in a matter of weeks.”
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Matthew Savage, CEO of group homeowners Dorilton Capital, hailed the hiring of Vowles to steer the group into the brand new season.
“We’re delighted to welcome James to Williams Racing,” stated Savage. “He is among the most extremely revered skills in System 1 and can deliver efficiency.
“As we proceed our relentless pursuit for outcomes, we imagine that the appointment of James reinforces our dedication to making sure we’ve energetic, skilled, and powerful management as we transfer into the following part of remodeling Williams Racing.”
Toto Wolff praised Vowles’ contribution to Mercedes’ successes throughout his time with the group. “Having labored with him since I first joined the group in 2013, I understand how diligent, succesful and proficient he’s and have taken nice satisfaction from watching James develop and develop over the previous decade,” stated Wolff.
“Whereas we’re naturally unhappy to be saying goodbye to such a succesful member of the group, I’ve no doubts in anyway that he has all the mandatory abilities to develop into a improbable group principal in System 1. We want him each success and are delighted that he’ll take this subsequent step in his profession with Williams, a robust technical companion of ours and one which has a spot near my very own coronary heart.”
Williams completed tenth and final within the constructors’ championship final season, scoring solely eight factors. The group will subject Alexander Albon and rookie American driver Logan Sargeant of their two vehicles for the 2023 championship.
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