Williams boss James Vowles was ‘devastated’ after one interview mistake this year

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James Vowles has impressed at Williams since taking over as team principal at the start of 2023. He had been part of F1’s most dominant dynasty at Mercedes as the lead strategist, but this was an altogether different task.

Vowles was now carrying the ultimate responsibility for his team’s success or failure. And rather than trying to win Grands Prix and titles at the outset, he was undertaking a long-term rebuild.

In his first season, Williams scored 28 points and finished seventh in the constructors’ standings. It was their best showing since 2017, when they were fifth.

With six races to go in 2024, they have 16 points on the board and, thanks to a recent upgrade package, they could feasibly match last year’s tally. But that wouldn’t be enough to repeat seventh place, with Haas (31 points) currently occupying that spot.

This may look like regression or stagnation but the team are thinking longer-term. Williams overhauled their processes in a ‘shocking’ winter, which left them overweight and short on parts at the start of the season.

Vowles recognised that the only way to eventually compete for race wins was to take some initial pain. Already the team are shifting their focus towards 2026, with the regulation changes presenting an opportunity to make a leap forward.

James Vowles was distraught amid backlash over Mick Schumacher comments

While Vowles has earned plenty of praise for the job he’s done at Williams, he’s also faced criticism at times. Many were unhappy, for instance, with what he said about Mick Schumacher at the Italian Grand Prix.

He’d just sacked the underperforming Logan Sargeant and brought in reserve driver Franco Colapinto as his replacement. When asked why he hadn’t tried to sign Schumacher, who was on the books of engine suppliers Mercedes, he replied that the German was ‘just good’ and not ‘special’.

Reflecting on those comments in an interview with Autosport, Vowles recognised that they were disrespectful. He says he ‘immediately apologised’ to the 25-year-old’s camp.

He regrets his remarks but hopes he can carry the ‘lesson’ forward. That will mean a more considered approach to interviews in the future.

“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 said. “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.”

Helmut Marko comments suggest Mick Schumacher may get Audi seat

While Williams have signed Carlos Sainz alongside Alex Albon for 2025 – perhaps the biggest achievement of Vowles’ tenure, incidentally – Schumacher is still hopeful of securing a seat elsewhere. Audi have a vacancy next to Nico Hulkenberg.

Mattia Binotto says he’s held talks with Schumacher, who last raced for Haas in 2022. The son of seven-time world champion Michael, he scored 12 points over his two seasons.

It’s rare for a driver to return after two years on the sidelines. But the Mercedes reserve has impressed in F1 testing and the World Endurance Championship this year.

Helmut Marko says Audi are ‘seriously considering’ Schumacher for the upcoming season. The Red Bull executive director will naturally be monitoring developments in the driver market closely.