James Vowles

Vowles was the chief strategist of Brawn GP[6][7], a team that competed in the 2009 season. He was responsible for planning and executing the race strategy for the team's drivers, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Vowles played a key role in Brawn GP's remarkable success, as the team won eight races and both the drivers' and constructors' championships in its debut and only season.[7] He also helped to overcome some of the challenges that Brawn GP faced, such as a limited budget and a late start to testing.[3] Vowles stayed with the team when it was bought by Mercedes at the end of 2009.

Vowles, who was once seen as a potential successor to Toto Wolff as Mercedes team principal[8], was one of the key figures[9][10] behind Mercedes' unprecedented success in Formula One from 2014 to 2021; winning eight consecutive constructors' championships and seven drivers' titles[5] with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. He was promoted from Chief Strategist to Motorsport Strategy Director in 2019[4] and was responsible for overseeing the race strategy, performance analysis and simulation departments.[4] Vowles was also known for his radio communications with the drivers during the races, often providing crucial information and guidance.[11]

In January 2023, he announced he was leaving Mercedes to become the team principal of Williams Racing[1][5][2], replacing Jost Capito who stepped down in December 2022[2][9] In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Vowles said that he felt 'too comfortable' at Mercedes and was looking for a new challenge. He described the offer of team principal at Williams as an 'opportunity of a lifetime.'[8] Vowles said he was honoured to join Williams, an icon of the sport, and looked forward to the challenge of reviving their fortunes.[9] He is only the third team principal in the team's history.[1]

In the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series, he drove for the Garage 59 team.[12]