Williams have given James Vowles a big vote of confidence after confirming that their team principal has agreed to sign a new, long-term contract with the Formula 1 outfit.
At a time that Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur is fending off suggestions that he may get fired very soon, Williams have moved to tie Vowles down in Grove. Christian Horner is under pressure at Red Bull, as well, with outfits demanding results ahead of F1’s 2026 regulations overhaul.
Williams’ owners, Dorilton Capital, appointed Vowles in January 2023 to replace Jost Capito, having impressed in his previous role as Mercedes’ strategy director. The private investment firm has now sealed his new contract after the progress the 45-year-old has overseen since.
Vowles was instrumental in convincing Carlos Sainz to sign with Williams ahead of the 2025 F1 season after Ferrari elected to release the Spaniard. He also tied Alex Albon down with a new contract in May 2024, with Williams’ line-up locked in through at least the 2026 season.
Williams fans are convinced James Vowles can deliver titles after signing his new contract
Dorilton Capital granted Vowles’ new contract as Williams already have more points through the first 10 rounds of 2025 with 55 than the Grove natives scored in the previous three years combined. Williams sit fifth in the F1 constructors’ standings with a 27-point lead over Haas.
READ MORE: All to know about Williams Racing from team principal to Mercedes ties
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
374 |
| 2 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
199 |
| 3 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
183 |
| 4 |
Red Bull Racing |
162 |
| 5 |
Williams F1 Team |
55 |
| 6 |
Haas F1 Team |
28 |
| 7 |
Racing Bulls |
28 |
Vowles has overseen changes to the infrastructure at Williams’ factory, as well as the team’s protocols, since taking charge, too. So, many Williams fans now believe that Vowles will lead the Grove crew to their first constructors’ title since 1997 after announcing his new contract.
One fan reacted to the news of Vowles’ new Williams contract on X, noting: “I am convinced we will see championships under his leadership.” Another fan even replied, “Williams will be contenders soon”, and another declared, “James will take a WCC I feel in the years to come.”
As Mercedes are expected to have the best 2026 F1 regulation engine and Vowles renewed Williams’ deal in January 2024 through 2030, one fan noted: “Really can see you fighting at the front in a few years, especially if the Mercedes engine is as good as expected in 2026!”
Another fan also shared after the news about Vowles’ new contract: “This is excellent news for both the team and the sport in general. I have been a Williams fan all my life, I now know that under James’ leadership they will win again soon. Well done all involved.”
Amid the recent claims in the Italian press that Vasseur is fighting for his job at Ferrari, one Williams fan also believes Vowles will lead the squad to surpassing the Scuderia. They said: “Well deserved! Williams is on track to overtake Ferrari – fantastic job by the whole team.”
James Vowles has restructured Williams in pursuit of their first F1 titles since 1997
Vowles discovered a team with a desperate need to reset when he replaced Capito in charge in January 2023, with Williams infamously tracking all of the components on their car in one Excel document before his arrival. A front wing alone included 400 parts in the spreadsheet.
But Vowles has restructured the team’s design operation, tied down Albon’s future and was key in Sainz rejecting interest from Alpine and Audi to join Williams. Now, the target is their first constructors’ and drivers’ titles since doing the double with Jacques Villeneuve in 1997.
Williams are all-in on the 2026 F1 regulations to try and make a jump start on the new rules. Vowles stopped the development of Williams’ 2025 F1 car in their wind tunnel this January when teams were allowed to start creating their designs for the regulations coming in 2026.
