Toto Wolff and Mercedes react to James Vowles’ Williams appointment

© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Toto Wolff says Mercedes is “delighted” that James Vowles “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”.

Earlier today Williams announced they have appointed Mercedes’ long-time Motorsport Strategy Director James Vowles, as the team’s new team principal.

Mercedes immediately reacted with a press statement of their own.

“James Vowles, Motorsport Strategy Director at the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, has been released from his contract to join Williams Racing as Team Principal,” the team wrote.

“James has been a major part of the Team over the past decade, visible trackside on the pit wall next to his long-time colleagues Ron Meadows, Simon Cole, and Andrew Shovlin, leading our race strategy.

“He has also been a recognisable figure to fans as part of our Race Debrief series in recent years and his voice familiar to F1 fans across the world with some infamous radio calls to our drivers over the years!

“James will move on into his new role at Williams in February with Toto wishing him all the very best in his new job,” the team concluded, and proceeded to provide comments from team boss Toto Wolff.


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“James has been a highly valued member of our team in his role as Motorsport Strategy Director, playing an integral part in our success in recent years,“ the Austrian said.

“Having worked with him since I first joined the team in 2013, I know how diligent, capable and talented he is and have taken great satisfaction from watching James develop and grow over the past decade.

“Since stepping back from the pit wall mid-season last year, he has continued to build the capability of our strategy team at Brackley, and we have a fantastic group of talented strategists who will continue their superb work in the years to come.

“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,” Wolff concluded.

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