James Vowles reveals the ‘true honour’ he’s received at the Williams factory, ‘it’s a privilege’

Williams are building an exciting project for the future in F1. Much of it is down to the leadership of James Vowles.

Since becoming team principal in 2023, Vowles has made huge steps off the track to build the organisation back up to where it should be. Williams have struggled immensely in recent years, languishing at the back with underwhelming machinery.

The 2024 season was another difficult year for the Grove-based outfit. Multiple accidents hampered their season, with Logan Sargeant being dropped after the Dutch Grand Prix.

Franco Colapinto improved fortunes slightly with his impressive performances alongside Alex Albon but their costly crashes meant they could not take advantage of their upgrades. Williams finished the season ninth in the constructors’ championship with 17 points.

Heading into 2025, the foundation are there for the team to push further into the midfield. Williams won the driver market by signing Carlos Sainz to partner with Albon – a major statement of intent from Vowles.

The Brit has put Williams in a much better position to be competitive in the next few seasons. Jenson Button applauded Vowles’ ‘phenomenal’ leadership since joining the team, having worked with him at BAR and his title-winning 2009 season with Brawn GP.

James Vowles has the ‘true honour’ of using Sir Frank Williams’ office at the Grove factory

Williams have an incredible history in F1. Founded by the legendary Sir Frank Williams, the Grove-based outfit have won nine constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ championships.

The team have not won a Grand Prix since Pastor Maldonado won at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix or a championship since Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. Williams have fallen on hard times but are slowly building their way back up under Vowles.

READ MORE: All to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes ties

Frank Williams’ history and impact at the Grove factory is still felt to this day. Speaking on Williams’ official YouTube channel, Vowles revealed he has the ‘true honour of using the founder’s old office.

The 45-year-old says it’s important to keep the ‘nucleus of what is Williams’ around the factory and remember their proud history.

“So first and foremost, the office we’re standing in now, and this is a true honour to me, is this is Frank’s old office.

“So this whole area on top was where Frank spent his life and lived here as a result of it. So this was his office and going down there this was actually part of his quarters.

“Now in time it’s become working space but it’s really important to understand that, for me, the nucleus of what is Williams is all contained here and it’s a privilege to be a part of it now in the future.”

What are Williams’ prospects for the 2025 F1 season?

With Sainz on board, Williams have taken a huge step to improve in 2025. The four-time Grand Prix winner comes with a wealth of experience that, combined with Albon, gives the team two leaders.

Albon and Sainz have given ‘identical’ feedback in testing – this will be music to Vowles’ ears as it highlights how big of an impact the duo are making already.

Not much is expected to change in terms of the order for 2025 ahead of the regulation change in 2026. In fact, Williams may sacrifice 2025 to focus on 2026 and perfecting the new regulations.

Albon says Williams will ‘move quickly’ in 2026 – taking inspiration from Red Bull and how they attacked the ground effect era. The Milton Keynes-based outfit aced the 2022 rule change and have been almost unstoppable since then.

While the attention may be on next year, that is not to say Albon and Sainz will not be able to perform this season. Vowles says Williams have the ‘ingredients’ to score podiums in 2025 – Alpine’s double podium in Sao Paulo proves anything is possible.