Williams Racing has announced the appointment of Mercedes F1 chief strategist James Bowles as its new F1 team principal.
The move of James Bowles from Brackley to Grove is a major coup by Williams F1, who left Jost Kapit at the end of last season and had no team principal.
James Bowles’ outstanding F1 career includes nine F1 titles. His first F1 title was achieved in 2009 with Brawn GP and Jenson Button, his remaining eight championships with the Mercedes F1 team.
The 43-year-old British man has overseen dozens of victories for Mercedes F1 as chief strategist and has played a key role in the team’s success over the years.
“I can’t wait to start with Williams Racing,” said James Bowles.
“I am honored to join a team with an incredibly rich heritage.”
“This team is an icon of our sport and one that I have a lot of respect for. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
“Mercedes has supported my journey immensely and after more than 20 years at Brackley, we bid farewell on excellent terms.”
“I am grateful for everything that Toto[Wolf]and the team have given me and it has been a very special experience to go through failures and successes together.”
“Williams Racing has placed trust and confidence in me and I will do the same. Williams has tremendous potential and our journey will begin in just a few weeks.”
Dorilton chairman Matthew Savage has welcomed the addition of James Bowles as it strengthens Williams F1’s leadership for the future.
“We are delighted to welcome James to Williams Racing,” said Matthew Savage.
“He is one of Formula 1’s most highly regarded talents and will deliver performances. He has played a key role in some of the sport’s most impressive achievements over the past 15 years. I have fulfilled
“We remain in a relentless pursuit of results and the appointment of James reinforces our dedication to ensuring an energetic, experienced and strong leadership as we move into the next phase of transforming Williams Racing. I believe it will.”
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff has paid tribute to James Bowles for his dedication and hard work and for “playing an integral part in our success in recent years”.
Former Williams shareholder and director Toto Wolff said: “James has been a very important member of our team in his role as Motorsport Strategy Director and has played an integral part in our success in recent years. .
“Having worked with him since he first joined the team in 2013, I know how hard-working, capable and talented he is and how James has grown and grown over the past decade. I got great satisfaction from watching
“Since leaving the pitwall mid-season last year, he has continued to build the capabilities of the strategy team at Brackley and we have a great group of talented strategists who will continue to do a great job in the years to come.”
“It is of course sad to say goodbye to such a talented member of the team, but there is no question that he has all the necessary skills to be a great team principal in Formula 1.”
“We wish him all the best and are delighted to take the next step in his career with Williams, a strong technical partner of ours and one who has a close place in my own heart. “
Category: F1 / Williams / mercedes
