New team principal Vowles sees "tremendous potential" in Williams

The Brit has been with Mercedes themselves since 2010 and has recently taken up more public roles when boss Toto Wolff hasn't been in the paddock at various race weekends. He worked with the same team under the name Brawn GP when they won the title in 2009. Vowles is excited to get going. 

"I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing. It's an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage. The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge. Williams Racing have placed their faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. Williams has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks," Vowles said.

Goodbye to Mercedes

"Mercedes have been hugely supportive on my journey, and we part on excellent terms after over 20 years of working in Brackley. I am grateful for everything Toto [Wolff] and the team have provided, and it has been such a special experience to journey together through failure and success," he added. 

Vowles will have his work cut out as he drops down to the bottom of the grid. Williams scored just eight points in the season, finishing last in the Formula 1 World Championship. The Chairman, Matthew Savage, looks forward to getting the best out of Vowles so they can improve. 

"He is one of the most highly respected talents in Formula 1 and will bring performance. He has been a key part of some of the most impressive feats in the sport over the past 15 years. As we continue our relentless pursuit for results, we believe that the appointment of James reinforces our dedication to ensuring we have energetic, experienced, and strong leadership as we move into the next phase of transforming Williams Racing," Savage said.