James Vowles realistic about Williams’ room for improvement
Williams boss James Vowles believes the team can exploit the "untapped potential" of its single-seater in 2024. However, he is aware that Williams will have to wait until 2026 to compete with the best.
Arriving early in the 2023 season, former chief strategist at Mercedes, James Vowles, didn’t have much influence on the design of the Williams FW45 that competed in the 2023 season. However, the British boss was able to bring his winning mentality to the Grove team, which he acquired during his long stint at Mercedes.
Williams had a rather promising season in 2023, finishing seventh in the constructor’s championship thanks in particular to the excellent performance of Alexander Albon, who scored 27 out of the 28 points earned by the team during the season. However, the real impact of the changes brought by James Vowles to Williams is still to be seen, and the 2024 car will be the first indication.
One of Vowles’ first decisions is the premature halt of the development of their 2023 car, in order to be able to focus more on the 2024 single-seater. Speaking to Autosport about this year’s car, the Williams director stated: « We have added aerodynamic support, but in reality, the main thing we have been working on is the behavior and characteristics of the car. »
« I think there is untapped potential at this level, so we can make progress. However, it is difficult to say to what extent,” he admitted.
Williams’ boss knows that a shake-up in the hierarchy during this winter will be difficult. He is quite realistic and understands that the best chances for Williams to shake up the midfield are to wait for the new regulations planned in 2026, which could redistribute the deck.
I am satisfied with the work we are doing, but I bet if you were to interview everyone on the team, they would say, “I am satisfied with the work we are doing.” That usually tells you that you might be making some progress, but that’s about it.
The big steps really come with a change in regulation. 2026 will be the first opportunity for us to truly move forward, added Vowles.
Even though the head of Williams managed to implement rapid changes within the team, particularly in terms of management, he now believes that the focus should be on where the team will be in the future.
« Practically everything we have changed is the infrastructure and the people, and it will take a long time before the repercussions are felt, he concluded.
Williams will unveil its new 2024 single-seater on February 5 during a special event in New York.
