Vowles' new Williams deal ‘made to be’ as Mercedes rumors fade

Williams team principal James Vowles has expressed deep satisfaction with his new long-term contract extension with the British outfit, calling the renewed commitment a natural fit and the start of a journey toward making the team a championship contender again.

The announcement, made last week after the Canadian Grand Prix, puts to rest speculation about Vowles’ potential return to Mercedes as a successor to Toto Wolff.

The 46-year-old British engineer’s tenure has marked a turning point for Williams, a team with a storied history of nine Constructors’ and seven Drivers’ Championships.

"I feel at home here. This feels like it was made to be and we gel really well," Vowles told Sky Sports F1.

"I'm so incredibly fortunate with Dorilton and our board, we talk, today we've spoken twice already. It's not a normal board in that regard, we're very interactive and close."

Under Vowles’ leadership since 2023, Williams has gone from backmarkers to consistent points-scorers and currently sits fifth in the Constructors’ Championship — a sharp turnaround for a team that has struggled in recent years.

"The first few years are really making sure each other is the right fit for this in the long-term. We've now, I think, shown the world we can do some basics right, which is where we're at now.

• Read also: Vowles signs new long-term contract to steer Williams’ F1 future

"Now it's to properly build this into a championship-winning team and that will take some time and this commitment to each other is a serious commitment towards that goal. I couldn't be happier."

"This Williams feels like, if this is where I spend the remainder of my career, it would have been a very good and well spent amount of time."

No Thought of a Mercedes Return

Given his prior role as Mercedes’ chief strategist, Vowles had been viewed as a natural successor to Toto Wolff. But he firmly shut down that narrative, stating he never considered another team when deciding on his future.

"No, there was no other person I called on the grid, really, when I was in discussion over this," he said.

"Toto is an incredible individual, but he's also very comfortable where he is at the moment and wants to be there, I believe, for many, many more years. So that direction parted three years ago, and that's it."

Albon: “A vote of confidence for all of us”

Williams driver Alex Albon, who has played a key role in the team’s on-track revival, welcomed the news of Vowles’ extended tenure.

“I think it's a great vote of confidence for all of us,” said Albon.

“I feel like James has clearly spearheaded the team in a good direction, the right direction, and for myself, the team, it's a great sign of things to come and shows trust and confidence from the board. It makes the future brighter for the team.”

With leadership stability and performance gains, Williams appears poised to continue its upward trajectory — and now with Vowles at the helm for the long run.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook