Vowles enjoys two-day test with McLaren GT3 car in Spain

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Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles took advantage of the week-long break between the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix to get behind the wheel of a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo for two days of testing in Spain.

The test unfolded at the Circuito de Navarra, where Vowles returned to familiar territory with Garage 59, a team he previously raced with in the Asian Le Mans Series in 2022.

"Spent a fantastic two days at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain. Mostly dry and a great technical circuit," Vowles shared on social media. "I was driving a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo with Garage 59. It was great to be back with a team that I have a strong history with."

From Engineering Brain to Racing Instincts

While Vowles is best known for his sharp strategic mind in F1, the thrilling transition back into a GT3 cockpit required a different focus.

"I was rusty to start, it’s been a few years out of a GT3 but very happy with where we ended up after two days of testing. I had to hang up most of my engineering brain and focus on driving - and loved every second. More to follow," he added.

The McLaren 720S GT3 Evo itself is no stranger to high-performance circuits. Currently campaigned by Garage 59, CSA Racing, Optimum Motorsport, and Team RJN in the GT World Challenge Europe, the car packs a V8 twin-turbocharged engine with 740bhp and a top speed of 212mph.

A Strategic Mind Behind the Wheel

Vowles has been at the helm of Williams since 2023, following over a decade at Mercedes. His tenure has coincided with a notable resurgence for the Grove team, which climbed from 10th in the constructors’ standings in 2022 to seventh in 2023, before a slight dip to ninth in 2024.

Currently, the British outfit sits fifth in 2025, and Vowles’ influence has extended beyond performance, helping to boost the team’s commercial partnerships as well.

In recognition of his leadership, Vowles signed a long-term extension with Williams in June 2025 –ensuring that his strategic mind will continue to shape the team’s future, whether in the executive suite or on the pit wall.

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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.