Formula 1
Vowles: New F1 technical structure priority for Williams
New Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles says his priority is to put a new technical structure in place at the Grove outfit.
Adam Cooper
Edited: Mar 1, 2023, 11:13 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison and head of aerodynamics Dave Wheater both left the team in December, in parallel with the departure of former team principal Jost Capito.
While Williams moved quickly to hire Vowles from Mercedes as its new team boss, the two top technical jobs remain unfilled.
Given the gardening leave that such positions usually involve, it could be many months before the chosen candidates will be able to start work.
"I think the primary thing is we don't have the structure in place technically, obviously, as a result of the changes that were made," said Vowles when asked what his priority is.
"And number one is let's put in place a proper set of structures, in terms of technical director, head of aero. That's number one, because clearly an organisation needs those to move forward."
Vowles insisted that he is in no hurry to fill the top technical job, as he wants to get the right person.
"So there's a strong organisation in place, and it's acting without a TD," he said. "As we speak today, there's a car on track, it's built. They did an incredible job over the winter to achieve that.
"What's clear is this is not about short-term putting someone in place, this is about long-term, and making sure we have the right person in place. We're not going to rush to a decision, the key is making sure we find the person that fits the organisation for the long term."
Vowles stressed that he has found a core of passionate personnel at the team, despite its lack of success in recent years.
Logan Sargeant, Williams FW45
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
"There's a number of great people there on site," he said. "They've obviously had a difficult probably last 15 years or so, due to just circumstance, lack of investment and otherwise.
"But you can still tell that there the same level of passion that is shared, irrespective of the grid position you're in, is there, and available to you. And the work, whatever it takes really to move forward."
Vowles admitted that he will have to get used to working at a team that doesn't have the same resources as Mercedes.
"It's just understanding where Williams is. I had the benefit really, of being in an organisation where if you required something, you asked for it, and you're provided with it. We had everything you could possibly imagine.
"And it's a stark contrast to where I'm now. especially in an environment in the cost cap where it's difficult to request or even pay for what you need."
Read Also:
- Russell: Mercedes has "good problem" to solve with 2023 F1 car
- 2023 F1 Bahrain test: Sainz heads Sargeant in Friday morning running
- F1 tyre blanket ban set for crunch vote after British Grand Prix
Vowles said it's too early to draw any conclusions about the new car despite some encouraging lap times in Bahrain.
"The wind and the direction it is in Bahrain at the moment, a tailwind into Turn 1, actually makes the balance very difficult for the drivers," he noted. "So it's a struggle as a result of that. It's quite a nasty feeling when the wind's behind you, especially under braking.
"Otherwise, I think there's some positive commentary, certainly relative to last year. But it's an early sequence of events where we are now, just two days into testing, to really draw any sensible conclusions."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article F1 Bahrain pre-season test – Day 2 as it happened
Next article 2023 F1 Bahrain test: Zhou fastest from Verstappen as Mercedes hits trouble
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Latest news
Kyle Busch remembered: Rowdy’s most notable Phoenix moments
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
13 min
Kyle Busch remembered: Rowdy’s most notable Phoenix moments
How Geri Halliwell helped Christian Horner deal with fan hate
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 1 h
How Geri Halliwell helped Christian Horner deal with fan hate
Max Verstappen stars with 15-place charge in 45 minutes: 'I learned a lot and had fun'
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
Portimão
2 h
Max Verstappen stars with 15-place charge in 45 minutes: 'I learned a lot and had fun'
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe