James Vowles has signed a new long-term contract to remain as Team Principal of Williams Racing.
Vowles, 45, joined Williams in 2023 after his time at Mercedes, where he served as Head of Race Strategy and played a crucial role in multiple championship victories. Since his arrival at the Grove-based team, Williams has described his tenure as overseeing a “top-to-bottom transformation.”
Williams currently holds fifth place in this year`s Constructors` Championship, having accumulated 55 points after just 10 races. This points tally already represents their best seasonal return since 2017, highlighting the team`s significant progress under Vowles` leadership.
Expressing his satisfaction, Vowles stated: “I am delighted to sign a new contract with Atlassian Williams Racing, which has felt like home from the moment I walked through the door. This iconic team has already given me some incredible memories, and we are all united in our ambition to build on our legacy and win World Championships again. Over the past two years, we have focused on fixing the foundations, and now have a platform to go for glory in the years to come.”
Vowles was also instrumental in the recent signing of Carlos Sainz. Williams reportedly secured the Spaniard`s signature, fending off competition from other midfield rivals after Sainz`s departure from Ferrari. The four-time race winner is set to partner with Alex Albon in what is anticipated to be a strong driver lineup.
Matthew Savage, Chairman of Williams and owners Dorilton Capital, conveyed his excitement that Vowles has “committed his future to completing the mission that we are on together.”
Savage added: “He has brought experience, energy, and strategic leadership to the task of restoring Williams to the top step of the podium. We aren`t there yet, but you can sense the momentum we are building at Grove and are excited about what lies ahead.”
Can Williams Return to the Front in F1`s New Era?
The legendary Williams team, which last celebrated a race win in 2012 and secured the most recent of their 16 world titles back in 1997, had unfortunately slipped to the bottom of the ten-team F1 grid in the years prior to Vowles` arrival. However, they saw an immediate improvement in his first year, finishing seventh.
Although they finished ninth in 2024 after implementing changes to their operational structure at Grove the previous winter, their performance this season has been notable. They have successfully scored points in all but two races so far, achieving a total that surpasses their combined points haul from the preceding three seasons.
This strong form demonstrated in 2025 is particularly significant, given that the team has openly acknowledged its primary focus has already shifted towards developing the car for the dramatic chassis and engine rule overhaul coming in 2026.
Williams will continue their partnership with Mercedes for power units into this new era of F1 regulations. The German manufacturer is widely considered a frontrunner in expected engine development under the updated rules.
Marcus Prine