Jenson Button enthusiastic about Williams’ progress: “James Vowles is a phenomenal leader”. Jenson Button praised the personality of Williams' Team Principal.

Many years without winning

Looking at Williams’ glorious history in Formula 1, it remains disheartening to see the team, founded by Sir Frank Williams in 1977, absent from the upper ranks of the standings. Despite securing nine Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ titles—both last won in 1997 with Jacques Villeneuve—the Grove-based outfit has not won a race since the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, where Pastor Maldonado unexpectedly claimed victory. The team’s last podium finish dates back to 2021, when George Russell secured second place at the rain-shortened Belgian Grand Prix.

Vowles’ impact

These results came during a period of deep crisis for the British squad. In 2020, Williams finished last in the Constructors’ Championship without scoring a single point, and in 2022, they again placed 10th, this time with eight points. However, an unexpected change arrived in 2023: after twelve years as Mercedes’ chief strategist, James Vowles joined the team as its new Team Principal. Step by step, the British engineer laid the groundwork for a slow but steady resurgence of Williams.

Back together again

A return to the top remains distant, but just a few years ago, the prospect of signing a driver like Carlos Sainz—coming from a top team like Ferrari—seemed unimaginable. Now, Carlos Sainz joins Alex Albon, the driver who kept Williams in the points during its most difficult period. As James Vowles himself has stated, the team’s primary focus is on long-term development, particularly looking toward 2026 and beyond. One of the strongest endorsements of James Vowles’ work has come from a driver who won his only world title with him and has now reunited with him at Williams: Jenson Button.

The strength of leadership

Now serving as a Williams ambassador alongside Jamie Chadwick and Jacques Villeneuve, the 45-year-old praised not only James Vowles’ qualities as a Team Principal but also his personality and the impact he is having on the team. “When you listen to James talk about Formula 1 and this team, his passion truly shines through,” Jenson Button said at the launch of the FW47.

“I’ve worked with James for many years, since 2003, when he was our strategist at BAR, and when I won the world championship, he was there. He’s seen it all, he’s been there. He has worked with the best teams and the best drivers, and he has really brought that experience to this team. I must say that his leadership has been phenomenal over the last two years that I’ve had the chance to work with him. He brings so much, and I think everyone looks up to him—he unites the entire team.

Usually, in a team, when there is leadership, there are those who want to stick to the old ways and those who want to push forward and try new things. But with James, everyone has listened, come together, and we’ve seen the progress of this team—and a lot of that is thanks to his leadership.”