84. James Vowles

James Vowles (born 20 June 1979) is a British motorsport engineer and Team Principal of Williams Racing since 20 February 2023. He was the chief strategist at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team from 2010-2023.

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Vowles has worked in many Formula One teams as a race engineer and strategist and enjoyed success. He has won nine Constructors’ Championships and over 100 Grands Prix with two Formula One teams. Vowles was responsible for the Brawn GP race strategy, which was critical to the team’s championship-winning 2009 season. After working with the championship-winning Brawn GP, Vowles stayed with the team after its sale to Mercedes in 2010.

Vowles started his Formula 1 career as an engineer at British American Racing and Honda Racing F1 Team. He was promoted to race strategist at Brawn GP after the team was saved by a management buyout of the Honda Racing F1 team led by Ross Brawn. He was instrumental in the team’s championship-winning 2009 season. Mercedes later bought the team in 2010.

Since 20 February 2023, he has been the Team Principal of Williams Grand Prix Engineering.

Vowles attended the International School of Geneva, graduating in 1997. He went to the University of East Anglia, obtaining a degree in computer science in 2000, followed by a master’s degree in Motorsport Engineering and Management from Cranfield University in 2001, receiving the Prodrive Award of Excellence.

James Vowles commented on his annoucement:

I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing. It’s an honour to join a team with such a vibrant heritage. The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I look forward to the challenge. Mercedes have been hugely supportive on my journey, and we part on excellent terms after over 20 years of working in Brackley. I am grateful for everything Toto [Wolff], and the team have provided, and it has been such a unique experience to journey together through failure and success. Williams Racing has placed its faith and trust in me, and I will do the same in return. Williams has tremendous potential, and our journey together starts in a matter of weeks.