Williams
F1 News
Justified criticism of the FIA? Williams boss Vowles trusts the federation
- Ludo van Denderen
While teams have been preparing the 2025 cars, the spotlight also landed on the FIA on multiple occasions. According to some teams, changes to flexibility of front wings (that will come into effect ahead of the Spanish GP) were belatedly announced, while more serious penalties for swearing are now also included on the federation's guidelines. Still, James Vowles stands by the FIA, despite the criticism the organisation received.
"I still trust the FIA," Vowles explained to GPblog among others when he was asked to share his thoughts on the governing body. "What I look at more is, do we have a set of regulations that are being policed to the right standards? Do we have a 2026 set of regulations that are good at what we're producing? The answer to all of that is, fundamentally, 'yes'."
Vowles understands swearing drivers
On the other hand, that does mean Vowles agrees on everything with the FIA. He cites swearing. "We're picking up on some pinch points which are around whether drivers should or shouldn't be talking that way. Now, my perspective is fairly clear on that one. When you're in the car under pressure, I think it's normal to expect any human to respond that way because you are putting your life on the line at the extreme."
However, the Briton also added: "Outside of that, I do also think that we have a responsibility towards the world, and hopefully I don't get caught out by my own words here, but I think you're looking at a very small element. I look at the FIA as a whole, which is do we have a set of regulations that I believe in and trust?"
"Do I trust they're being policed? And the answer to both of those is correct. Yes, I do. And then finally, do I look at 2026 and go, ‘Do we have a good set of regulations?’ I didn't think we had for many, many months, but we do again as a result of it. So ultimately, yes," the Williams team principal concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sárközi
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!