James Vowles: “The P7 is not a lucky result”

For several Grand Prix, Williams has been impressive. Thanks to its top speed, notable upgrades, and the driving skills of Alex Albon, the Grove-based team is collecting valuable points for the F1 constructors’ championship. And it’s working out very well: they are ahead of AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo, and Haas!

For James Vowles, who arrived this year from Mercedes as the new team principal of Williams, this result is the result of significant progress and is not solely due to luck. « P7 is not a lucky result, it is the accumulation of successful updates, and good results in Montreal and here in Great Britain » he stated after the British Grand Prix.

We were lucky, but we also had results that we deserved on paper with the car’s performance, and we also had failures, for example in Australia. The situation we find ourselves in reflects the level of performance of the car, stated James Vowles. Williams confirmed the simulations on the track.

Confidence for the future

On this basis of good results, James Vowles wants to dream bigger or at least continue to consistently score points and surpass rival teams.

« The improvements are working, they were made in two stages, first in Montreal for Alex, and then at Silverstone with the front wing » said Vowles.

The objective is clear: to continue the development of this car in 2023, but also to keep a close watch on 2024. « That’s the plan until the end of the year, and I don’t think it will be different from that of our rivals – so it will be about optimizing the package you have and keeping an eye on next year », explained the Team Principal of the British team.

James Vowles also recalls that with the top speed of the Williams, some circuits will be greatly favorable to the team, which can hope to score big important points in the championship. « We have other more specific elements for the circuit, Spa and Monza, which better suit the track layout, and then there is the refinement of the current package and small improvements », he declared.

But James Vowles remains cautious

However, Williams remains a modest team, with limited resources and, above all, very outdated infrastructures for the most part. James Vowles prefers to remain cautious for the rest of the season. Staying 7th in the championship is a goal, but not all races will be easy for Albon and Sargeant.

« There will be circuits that won’t suit us, where our rivals, Haas, will start scoring points, but conversely there will be other circuits where we will have the opportunity to fight for points, he explained.

Despite this caution, Williams is having its best start to a season since 2017. This is a sign of renewal and James Vowles’ ability to turn the team around.