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Dave Robson spills the secrets of a game-changing team principal, leaving Williams in awe!

New Leadership Brings Refreshing Change to Williams F1 Team

The Williams Formula 1 team has undergone a significant transformation since the appointment of James Vowles as the new team principal in March. According to Dave Robson, head of vehicle performance at Williams, Vowles has already created a completely “new” and “refreshed” atmosphere at the Grove-based team.

Williams had a challenging season in 2022, finishing at the bottom of the standings. As a result, they made the decision to part ways with their team principal Jost Capito and technical director FX Demaison. Vowles, who previously worked at Mercedes as the director of strategy, was announced as their replacement.

Dave Robson, director of vehicle performance at Williams assisting teams
Robson says Vowles has brought a new atmosphere to Williams since joining the team

Vowles, with his extensive experience in the Formula 1 world, having been a part of eight world championship victories at Mercedes, as well as working with Brawn GP, Honda, and BAR, has introduced a fresh approach to the team. Speaking in Hungary last month, Robson highlighted the positive impact Vowles has had on the team since his arrival.

“James has brought a great deal of experience and knowledge to the table,” said Robson. “And also, I think, a whole new approach that’s really starting to spread through the factory. I think it probably went hand in hand with Alex [Albon] maturing and becoming quite calm and consistent, level-headed, and James brings something similar.”

Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes GP Director of Track Engineering with James Vowles
Shovlin (L) also discussed his 20-year stint working with Vowles (R)

Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ engineering director, who worked with Vowles for over 20 years, also shared his insights into their collaboration. Shovlin mentioned that Vowles has left Mercedes with a highly impressive strategy group and praised Rosie Wait, who currently works with Vowles at Williams.

While Vowles had a strategic role at Mercedes, his ambitions at Williams go beyond just strategizing. He aims to create a clear plan for the team’s future success. His impact on the team has been noticeable, with on-track results improving and a positive shift in the overall atmosphere.

It is clear that Vowles has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role at Williams, and his efforts to transform the team have been greatly appreciated by his colleagues. Despite his departure being a loss for Mercedes, Shovlin expressed happiness for Vowles’ success at Williams.

Expanding on the Transformation: Insights from Vowles and Albon

As Williams F1 continues its journey under the leadership of James Vowles, it is worth exploring the details of the team’s transformation and the impact it has had on key individuals within the team. Both Vowles and driver Alex Albon have spoken about their experiences and the positive changes they have witnessed firsthand.

The Visionary Approach of James Vowles

James Vowles, with his experience at Mercedes, knows what it takes to build a successful Formula 1 team. His strategic mindset and visionary approach have been instrumental in shaping Williams’ future plans. Vowles aims to implement a clear and well-defined strategy that will guide the team’s decision-making process moving forward.

With a focus on long-term success, Vowles has been working closely with his colleagues to establish a roadmap for the next few years. This approach ensures that everyone in the team is aligned and working towards common goals, resulting in a more cohesive and efficient operation.

The Impact on Alex Albon: Maturing and Finding Consistency

One of the key beneficiaries of James Vowles’ leadership is driver Alex Albon. With Vowles’ calm and consistent approach, Albon has found himself maturing both on and off the track. The positive atmosphere within the team has provided Albon with the necessary support and stability to improve his performance.

Albon, who joined Williams after a stint as a reserve and test driver for Red Bull Racing, has shown significant progress since joining the team. His improved consistency, level-headedness, and overall performance on the track can be attributed to the positive impact of Vowles’ leadership.

Andrew Shovlin’s Perspective: The Legacy of James Vowles

Andrew Shovlin, who worked closely with James Vowles for over two decades at Mercedes, sheds light on Vowles’ invaluable contributions. Shovlin praises Vowles for leaving behind a highly capable strategy group at Mercedes. He credits Vowles for establishing a strong foundation that allows Mercedes to continue its success even in his absence.

Shovlin also highlights Vowles’ ambitions and the positive effect he has had at Williams. While it was a loss for Mercedes, Shovlin expresses his happiness in seeing Vowles thriving in his role at Williams and making a significant difference within the team.

Summary:

The appointment of James Vowles as the new team principal at Williams F1 has brought about a refreshing change within the team. Vowles, drawing on his vast experience and knowledge from his time at Mercedes, has introduced a new approach and vision that has had a positive impact on the team’s atmosphere.

The transformation under Vowles’ leadership has been recognized by key individuals within the team, including Dave Robson, head of vehicle performance, and Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes’ engineering director. Both Robson and Shovlin praise Vowles for his experience, knowledge, and strategic mindset, which have revitalized the team and set them on a path towards future success.

In addition, driver Alex Albon has also witnessed the positive changes within the team and has benefited from Vowles’ leadership. The calm and consistent approach brought by Vowles has contributed to Albon’s maturity, consistency, and improved on-track performance.

Overall, Vowles’ appointment has brought a renewed sense of optimism and direction to Williams F1, and the team is poised for a brighter future under his guidance.

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James Vowles started working as Williams team principal in March, but according to the team’s head of vehicle performance Dave Robson, he has already created a completely “new” and “refreshed” atmosphere at the Grove team.

After finishing bottom of the standings in 2022, Williams made the decision to part ways with team principal Jost Capito, along with technical director FX Demaison, with Vowles later announced as his replacement.

MID-TERM REPORT: Williams: can you continue your progress in 2023 after some encouraging signs?

Vowles came from Mercedes, where he had been a part of eight world championship victories as director of strategy. He has also worked in strategy and engineering roles for 2009 world champions Brawn GP, ​​as well as Honda and BAR.

And speaking in Hungary last month, Robson, who has been at Williams since 2015, was asked about Vowles’ impact on the team since joining. He responded: “James has brought a great deal of experience and knowledge to the table.

“And also, I think, a whole new approach that’s really starting to spread through the factory. I think it probably went hand in hand with Alex. [Albon] maturing and becoming quite calm and consistent, level-headed and James brings something similar.


SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 8: Dave Robson, director of vehicle performance at Williams, assists teams

Robson says Volwes has brought a new atmosphere to Williams since joining the team

“Obviously it also brings a clear understanding of, how we speak, what Andrew [Shovlin] and his colleagues have at MGP. And so it really looks like we now have a clear plan for the next few years.

“That is very ingrained in recent high-level experience, and now we are going to put it into practice. But in the short term, yes, the whole atmosphere is new and refreshed.

READ MORE: Robson highlights ‘very skilled’ areas Albon has improved this season

“Some of the on-track results helped, but I think it’s all a bit of a chicken and egg, and James has definitely played his part in that.”

Joining Robson was Mercedes engineering director Andrew Shovlin, who until this season had worked with Vowles throughout his 21-year run in Formula 1. And he also gave a glimpse of what it was like to work with the Williams frontman.


TOPSHOT - (L-R) Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes GP Director of Track Engineering, Mercedes GP

Shovlin (L) also discussed his 20-year stint working with Vowles (R)

“All my good racing memories… I was sitting next to James on the pit wall for 20 years or whatever,” Shovlin said. “He’s left us with a really impressive strategy group. So, Rosie [Wait] it’s working now and it’s working great.

BEYOND THE NET: James Vowles as Williams team manager, Alex Albon, Lewis Hamilton and more

“But partly because James was trying to put the group in a place that could follow him. But his ambitions were always more than just strategizing.

“But it’s great to see him enjoying his role at Williams and having a positive effect there because we knew it would be a loss for our team. But yeah, it’s good that he’s enjoying success.”


https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.dave-robson-explains-how-new-team-principal-vowles-has-refreshed-atmosphere.1YlbKY6XRkHLbTmWOYToch.html
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