Williams surprised everyone in the F1 world as they announced the signing of James Vowles as their new team principal. The Oxfordshire-based team was looking for a new captain for their ship since Jost Capito’s departure last month. However, as emotions settled down, many realized the move wasn’t as much out of the blue as they had thought initially. Given the fact that Mercedes is Williams’ engine provider, the signing was seen as an attempt to turn the latter team into “mini-Mercedes”. However, Toto Wolff himself has come out to put an end to the rumors.

Vowles has been crucial in Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ success all these years. While the Brackley-based team put up a display of one of the most dominant eras F1 has ever seen, he was the one who made most of those instinctive calls as their chief strategist. Wolff has now assured that he will enjoy complete autonomy at Williams. That is despite the fact that the Mercedes boss’ journey in F1 started with Williams.

In his recent interview with Racer, Toto said, “If I could sit down with James and ask him to side with Mercedes, he would tell me to f**k off. For example, there was always the speculation that Williams, because of the Mercedes engine, was a subordinate, but that was not true. We never got involved in any driver situation, we always understood the authority of the team management in their own way, and that’s why James is going to do what’s right for the team.” [Translated using Google]

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Having tasted immense success in partnership with his former chief strategist, Wolff is confident Vowles will be great for Williams as a team principal.

Toto Wolff praises James Vowles as Mercedes bid him goodbye

James Vowles has been at Mercedes ever since its inception in 2010. He has tasted success at the very top with the team, winning 8 constructors’ titles. Williams, who has stayed at the bottom of the table for four years, needs a man exactly like him at the helm.

Reacting to his departure, Toto Wolff said, “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. 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.”

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“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,” he added.

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As Vowles begins a new journey at Williams, the question remains- who will fill his shoes at Mercedes?