Vowles signs new long-term contract to steer Williams’ F1 future

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Atlassian Williams Racing has confirmed that team principal James Vowles has signed a new long-term contract with the Grove-based outfit.

The deal cements Vowles' position as the driving force behind the team’s resurgence, ensuring stable leadership as Williams continues its mission to return to the top of the Formula 1 grid.

Vowles, who joined Williams in 2023 after a highly successful career with Mercedes, becomes just the third Team Principal in the team’s storied 48-year history. His tenure has been marked by a comprehensive restructuring effort, aimed at reinvigorating a squad that had long struggled to reclaim its former competitiveness.

The 45-year-old has led a wide-reaching transformation at Grove, including new investments in people, infrastructure, and technology, under the ownership of Dorilton Capital, which celebrates five years at the helm this August.

These efforts have already borne fruit: Williams currently sits fifth in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship with 55 points — more than the total scored over the last three seasons combined.

The announcement comes amid a wave of optimism around the team, which boasts a strengthened driver line-up this eason featuring Alex Albon and incoming Ferrari star Carlos Sainz, as well as a growing fanbase and a title sponsorship deal with global tech giant Atlassian.

Leadership with a Vision

In the official statement, Vowles expressed his gratitude and excitement at the prospect of continuing his journey with Williams:

“I am delighted to sign a new contract with Atlassian Williams Racing, which has felt like home from the moment I walked through the door.

“This iconic team has already given me some incredible memories and we are all united in our ambition to build on our legacy and win World Championships again.

“Over the past two years we have focused on fixing the foundations, and now have a platform to go for glory in the years to come.”

Team Chairman Matthew Savage also praised Vowles’ impact since taking over the reins and underlined the significance of the contract extension:

“We are thrilled that James has signed a new contract with Atlassian Williams Racing and committed his future to completing the mission that we are on together.

“He has brought experience, energy and strategic leadership to the task of restoring Williams to the top step of the podium.

“We aren’t there yet but you can sense the momentum we are building at Grove and are excited about what lies ahead.”

Read also: Sainz doubts Williams will join leaders in 2026 but ‘we’ll get there’

The timing of the announcement — just one day before Vowles celebrates his 46th birthday — serves as a symbolic marker for both continuity and ambition at Williams.

With the team’s upward trajectory, high-profile signings on and off the track, and a clear vision for the future, Vowles’ continued leadership provides the backbone to what many hope will be a full-circle return to Formula 1 championship contention.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.