F1 | Williams’ Vowles warns Sainz and Albon: “Out if you touch each other”
Williams continues its Formula 1 revival, and Team Principal James Vowles has made it clear that internal tensions will not be allowed to slow the team’s growth.
Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, the British manager explained how he plans to handle any potential rivalry between Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon — a pairing that has so far worked flawlessly together but could soon be fighting for more ambitious positions.
“Both drivers have left their egos at the door,” James Vowles stated. “There is no ‘alpha driver’ between them. I am confident in creating a structure that allows them to push to the limit without compromising teamwork.”
James Vowles also recalled his experience at Mercedes, where the intense rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg challenged the team. “In 2014 and 2015 we were too inexperienced to manage two potential world champions,” he admitted. “In the following years, we learned a lot, and today I know how to set clear rules and boundaries so drivers know exactly how far they can go.”
The British manager emphasized a key principle: any contact between teammates will not be tolerated. “Rule number one is simple: don’t touch each other. Don’t push each other off the track. The team comes first.”
For those who break this rule, the consequences will be severe. “Sanctions must be clear: if two drivers start damaging each other, the harshest measure is to keep them out of the car the following weekend,” he said firmly.
This is a direct message to his drivers, but also to the paddock: James Vowles’ new Williams team wants to grow as a united squad, not as an arena for internal clashes.
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