James Vowles names the best team principal in Formula 1 after three years as Williams boss

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James Vowles is approaching the end of his third season as the Williams boss. Despite the success he’s had at Grove so far, he knows that at least one of his peers is still better than him.

Williams have made a spectacular step forward in 2025, highlighted by Carlos Sainz’s podium at last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – the team’s first since 2021.

They have now cleared 100 points for the first time since 2016, having scored just 17 last year. In fact, with around a third of the season still to go, they’ve already beaten their tally from the last seven campaigns combined.

Williams’ goal under the new ruleset is to start winning races like fellow Mercedes customers McLaren. Andrea Stella, in tandem with Zak Brown, has led the Woking outfit to 12 race wins and 27 podiums this year, but Vowles still ranks one team principal above the Italian.

James Vowles explains why Mercedes’ Toto Wolff is the best team principal in F1

In an interview with the Business of Sport podcast, Vowles firmly rejected the idea that he’s ‘the best’ at his role. Even though he’s completely changed Williams’ trajectory, having entered a team teetering close to bankruptcy, he says he must start winning before he’s in the conversation.

In his eyes, Toto Wolff is still the benchmark. Wolff joined Mercedes in 2013 and has since delivered eight constructors’ championships, along with 119 Grand Prix victories.

The Silver Arrows haven’t challenged for either title since their last triumph in 2021. But Vowles has nonetheless praised Wolff’s managerial talents.

“I don’t think I’m the best,” he said. “I can’t be the best. I’ve won zero races as a team principal and zero championships.

“Here’s how I view things – Toto [is the best] because he really had a very good ability to listen to the senior leadership on where we need to be, and taught me a huge amount on managing drivers.”

Is this the biggest mistake of Toto Wolff’s Mercedes tenure?

With Mercedes not in the title picture, most of the headlines around Wolff this year have been tied to the driver market. He continued his pursuit of Max Verstappen, who eventually committed to staying at Red Bull.

He’ll now hand new contracts to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, though the process has been delayed. Mercedes staff are surprised that Russell hasn’t signed a new deal despite his outstanding performance levels in 2025.

Wolff is refusing to loan out Kimi Antonelli even though his rookie season has raised questions over his readiness for a top seat. He placed his faith in the academy driver to replace Lewis Hamilton, who’d broken every significant F1 record at Mercedes.

While Vowles cites Wolff’s skill at managing drivers, rushing Antonelli was perhaps an error. He could have signed a proven commodity like Carlos Sainz and allowed the Italian to develop elsewhere, but there’s no sign of any regret.