People above all: it is with this mantra that James Vowles runs operations in Grove, at Williams F1.
Another key word for the team director would also be humility: it is not because he is the leader on board that he considers himself the best.
“I firmly believe that in F1 you find some of the best intelligent minds you could hope for” entrusts the Briton to the official F1 website.
“Whether it's technical, operations, marketing, human resources or finance, they are truly best in class. Then there are failed racing drivers, and I think I fall more into the latter category! »
Indeed, we know the James Vowles manager; we know less about the pilot James Vowles. And yet, the director of Williams F1 also has his little reputation, particularly in GT. At a level far from ridiculous given his previous schedule, as director of strategy at Mercedes F1.
“I had the opportunity to compete in GT4 and GT3 races in 2021, 2022 and 2023. When you win that, it’s serious. We talk about money, investing and shopping. I loved that! »
“My performance was okay – that’s the best way to put it! I've always been very careful, because it's never your vehicle and you don't want to damage it. What I always told myself, however, was that when I was financially stable enough, I would invest in racing again. »
James Vowles even caught the eye… of recruiters from other teams!
“There were a few teams who looked after me a lot and a few manufacturers who got a lot closer to me, but it was a mutual relationship. I was able to bring something [de mon expérience dans le monde de la F1] that others didn't have, namely an understanding of engineering, data and strategy, to some extent. »
Through his driving experience, James Vowles is better able to feel what his drivers, Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant, feel during a Grand Prix weekend…
“Here's what it is… You feel alone in the car, really alone. Your view of the world boils down to what's happening 200 yards in front of you and 200 yards behind you, if you're lucky. So you depend on one voice, one engineer, to give you insight into the world at all times. I don't have the skills or the caliber of these people in the paddock, so I doubted myself. When you do this, you would also doubt. »
James Vowles also had the honor of driving the FW08, Keke Rosberg's Williams F1, at Goodwood in 1982.
“Since I've been in F1, I've had the privilege of going to Goodwood on several occasions and it's an incredible event. To have the opportunity to not only drive on the hill, but to drive on the hill representing Williams Racing, that was really for me… I mean, when I was asked, it took me a second to say yes! »
“I loved every second… When you're sitting in the car from the start, and you can just… You have tens of thousands of people around you. Where else can you find this? »
James Vowles can therefore be confident in his abilities as a driver… and that is why he says he is ready to face the other team bosses in a team managers' championship, as Zak Brown has proposed!
“I totally agree, I think it would be fascinating. As you can imagine, Toto and I had a few opportunities to ride on the track together, and it was a lot of fun. In Austin, Lewis [Hamilton] was also there, and I can't show you the footage, but all you hear is his laughter inside the car. »
“It would be a lot of fun. I think I would do well. But what will happen is carnage. You realize none of these cars will come back with four wheels… If you think this is competitive racing [en F1]look at our race! »
