Alexander Albon has welcomed the experience new Williams team principal James Vowles brings from multiple world champions Mercedes.
The team, which finished last in the 2023 championship, embarks on the new season following a change of management. Investment firm Dorilton Capital, which bought the team in autumn 2020 and installed Jost Capito in charge, have replaced him with Vowles, who was previously Mercedes’ chief strategist.
Speaking at the launch of the team’s livery for the upcoming season, Albon said he had already “been on phone calls and grabbed dinner” with Vowles.
“He motivates all of us to listen to him and to understand why Mercedes do certain things and the reasons for it,” Albon explained. He said the team wants “to have that winning mentality” that Mercedes have used.
But while admitting “it’s great to have him onboard” Albon said the timing of Vowles’ arrival was not ideal. “It’s a little bit tricky just because of this being almost peak month for [us] getting ready for the next year,” he said.
He was also keen to stress his appreciation for the role Capito played in bringing him back to an F1 race seat following his season as Red Bull’s reserve driver.
“I like Jost very much and we had a great relationship together. He was the person who brought me back into the sport. So I have a lot of time for him.”
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“James coming on board now, with his experience with Mercedes, hopefully that can obviously pull things forward and increase the evolution of the car,” Albon added.
“You can very much tell with James that he’s had a lot of experience in all areas of the company at Mercedes, so hopefully we can put that to good use.”
Williams have only scored in 12 races over the last five seasons and their last win came over a decade ago. Albon says Vowles’ involvement across various positions in Mercedes means “it’s great” for the team to soon “have that knowledge and information that he has.” Williams had been through some “tough years”, Albon added, and Vowles’ arrival “gives a great insight to just what it takes [to win].”
“You can see that he’s very keen, he’s motivated to get the team to where he knows the team can be,” said Albon. “It’s exciting.”
Albon has been in contact with current Mercedes driver George Russell about Vowles too, and says praise for his new boss not…
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