Vowles can 'finish off' Williams journey to next level

Williams sporting chief Sven Smeets believes that James Vowles, who is set to take the reins of the British outfit, can help 'finish off" the team's journey to the next level in F1.

Since its acquisition of Williams in the summer of 2020, new owner Dorilton Capital has sought to turn around the fortunes of Grand Prix racing's third most successful team.

The US private equity firm has deployed significant capital in the past two years and undertaken management changes in its bid to transform the Grove-based outfit from an also-ran competitor into a top midfield contender.

Former Williams CEO and team principal Jost Capito has made way for a new leader, and Smeets believes that Vowles, who helped guide Mercedes to its eight successive Constructors' titles from 2014 to 2021, is the man who can help Williams take its crucial next step forward.

"It's very important for the team to have somebody that now finishes off that journey and brings Williams forward again," said Smeets.

"We all know that was not going to be a one-year journey. I think James is very eager to start and he will be very committed to bringing Williams forwards.

"So, for the long term, that feels very good."

• Read also: Capito blames 'exhaustion' for Williams F1 departure

Although Capito's credentials in motorsport were certainly not void of merit, the German lacked the type of heavy-duty, winning experience that comes with years of presence on the front line with a top F1 team.

In that respect, Vowles fits the bill, and Williams' head of vehicle performance Dave Robson says the former top Mercedes should prove massively beneficial to the team.

"When he arrives in a couple of weeks' time, we'll find out what he's got planned," said Robson.

"But I think what he does bring is obviously a wealth of experience from Mercedes and its incarnations before that. He knows what it takes to be at the top and stay at the top.

"I think, personally, he's very ambitious. He's clearly very smart. So we're really looking forward to getting him on board and letting him direct us on the next bit of the journey."

"We're ready now to go on that next stage of this redevelopment," added Robson. "Some sense of stability and a much longer-term plan, [that] will stand us in good stead."

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