(Paris) Briton James Vowles, former director of strategy at Mercedes in Formula 1, will lead the Williams team to replace German Jost Capito, the team announced in a press release on Friday.
Engaged in F1 for 21 years, Vowles, 43, began his career in F1 with British American Racing, which became Honda Racing then Brawn GP – which won the double title in 2009 for drivers (with Jenson Button) and constructors – before being acquired by Mercedes.
“Mercedes have been very supportive of me on my journey, and we are parting on excellent terms after more than 20 years of working in Brackley, UK, where eight-time F1 world champion Mercedes is based in the UK. builders, said the Briton.
Now expected at Williams from February 20, Volwes said he was “eager to start” with his new team powered by Mercedes and its two drivers, the Thai Alexander Albon and the American Logan Sargeant, who succeeds the Canadian Nicholas Latifi.
He succeeds Jost Capito, whose departure was announced at the end of 2021, at the same time as that of technical director François-Xavier Demaison, whose replacement has not been announced.
Capito arrived at the head of the team in 2020 when Claire Williams, daughter of team founder Franck Williams, left the company for good.
The Formula 1 season resumes on March 5 with the Bahrain GP. Before that, the pre-season tests are scheduled on the archipelago from February 23 to 25.