James Vowles talks about the need of a F1 technical director at Williiams, differences from Mercedes, budget cap and more.
It is a big change for Vowles to leave Mercedes and join Williams, not just in terms of his role but also how the two teams operate, its infrastructure and more. In his former job, he didn’t have to oversee everything about a F1 team but here it is different.
Even though his primary concern is drivers, media and sponsors as a team principal, but he still has to work with the other departments on the whole. And his first big task is to find a suitable technical director for the long-term project rather than short one.
After the departure of Jost Captito, strangely FX Demaison also left his role of the technical director leaving a gap which was filled by interim director Dave Worner. At the same time, he has Dave Robson continuing as head of engineering, which helps to keep things tidy.
Vowles is on the look and is in hurry for the time being. But he can already feel the stark contrast between Mercedes and Williams especially on the side of working under a limited budget – despite the cost cap put in place. He can’t have everything he wants here.
Here’s his first run with media as a Williams team principal –
Feelings joining, differences and priorities –
Vowles: “There’s a number of great people there on-site. 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 the same level of passion that is shared irrespective of the grid position you’re in is there and available to you. And they’ll work whatever it takes really to move forwards. We don’t have the structure in place technically, obviously, as a result of the changes that were made. Number one is, let’s put in place a proper set of structures in terms of technical director, etc, head of aero.
“That’s number one, because clearly an organisation needs those to move forward. Beyond there, 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, you were provided with it – we had everything you could possibly imagine. And it’s a stark contrast to where I am now, especially in the environment of a cost cap, where it’s difficult to request or even pay for what you need.”
Timeline to have a technical director –
Vowles: “There’s a strong organisation in place and it’s acting without a TD as we speak today. There’s a car on track, it’s built, and 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. I appreciate that doesn’t answer the question on timeline, but 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.”
His role and being away from car –
Vowles: “There’s a tremendous amount more disconnection, I would say, from the car and a lot more connection to sponsorships, media, whatever it may be. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – it’s an enjoyable element of the role as well. But certainly before, you still had quite a quite a strong connection with the car. You have to remove yourself of it. Simply, your time isn’t enough to spread around all activities.”
Budget cap situation for Williams –
Vowles: “We will be on the budget cap and we were there or thereabouts, effectively, last year. I think it’s probably fair to say, I don’t know the financial accounting of other teams, but near enough everyone will be there now.”
Here’s all the stats from Bahrain F1 Test: https://formularapida.net/f1-2023-bahrain-test-lap-count-of-drivers-teams-times-more/
Here’s news on Jenson Button being on Guinness book
Here’s Claire Williams returning to WAE Technologies
Here’s Alexander Albon on expectations
Here’s Dave Robson on Williams FW45
