Vowles wants to learn from controversial comment: 'I hope it stays with me'
F1 News
After James Vowles decided it was time to replace Logan Sargeant following the Dutch Grand Prix, there were several candidates hoping to get the American's seat at Williams. As the Briton decided to choose Franco Colapinto, he made a comment about Mick Schumacher. One that he now thinks was a good lesson for him.
Vowles joined Williams at the beginning of the 2023 season after spending more than a decade at Mercedes. After another difficult weekend for the American at the Dutch Grand Prix, Vowles decided to substitute Logan Sargeant and give a chance to F2 driver Franco Colapinto.
Mick Schumacher, who has been consistently saying he wants to return to the competition after he was let go by Haas F1, was overlooked. When talking about why that was the case, Vowles said that is because the German driver 'isn't special, he would be just good.' He now regrets that completely. "It’s difficult because that one for me, that's clearly not what I meant, which is why I went and immediately apologised to him, his family and everyone around it," he began to Autosport.
"I was devastated at the time, because it showed me the power of a few words, and that I have to be far more diligent in what I'm doing and how I'm saying it. It was a learning lesson that I hope stays with me forever," Vowles explained.
Vowles promoted Colapinto because of his past
Colapinto had a good start to his Formula One career at his first three Grands Prix. He finished 12th in Monza, scored his first points in Baku, and then just missed out in finishing in the top 10 in Singapore. Moreover, in qualifying, he made it through to Q3 on his second attempt already.
According to the British team principal, he decided to give the Argentinian a chance, because when he himself was young, somebody gambled on him as well. Vowles has been also consistent in talking about how he wants to shape the future of the team. "At my core and Williams' core, and that is why we align so well, is investing in future generations. Franco epitomises that fundamentally."
"We're doing the same within the factory with brilliant graduates that we're pushing through the organisation and giving opportunity to. It's rewarding because that's really at the core of what I want," he added.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!