Williams boss James Vowles to race McLaren GT3 in Abu Dhabi endurance classic. Williams team principal James Vowles will return to racing behind the wheel of a McLaren GT3 EVO.

Williams team principal James Vowles set to race in the 12 Hours of Gulf with Garage 59

Williams team principal James Vowles is returning behind the wheel three years after his last appearance in the Asian Le Mans Series. James Vowles will compete for Garage 59 in the 12 Hours of Gulf, taking place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, one week after the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The British engineer will don his racing suit and helmet once again for this endurance event, piloting a McLaren GT3 EVO. He will share driving duties with Alexander West, Mark Sansom, and Marco Pulcini. West won the 2024 12 Hours of Gulf in the Pro-Am category, while Sansom and Pulcini are coming off a strong performance in the International GT Open. The four drivers will rotate through the scheduled stints during the race.

James Vowles ready for the new challenge

The announcement of James Vowles, the current Williams team principal, participating in the 2025 12 Hours of Gulf is unusual but exciting. The former Mercedes engineer expressed his enthusiasm for returning to competitive racing: “The opportunity to put on a racing helmet again is something I truly appreciate. Garage 59 is a team I know well, having raced with them in 2022, and the 12 Hours of Gulf is a fantastic event with a highly competitive grid. It will be a pleasure to share the car with Alex, Mark, and Marco, and to get back behind the wheel.”

James has completed testing during this season and is now preparing for the main event scheduled for December 14. Team principal Andrew Kirkaldy commented, “It was a pleasure working with James during the 2022 Asian Le Mans season. His approach, professionalism, and strategic expertise made our collaboration extremely enjoyable. Bringing him back for the 12 Hours of Gulf excites all of us, and we cannot wait to see what we can achieve together in Abu Dhabi.”

For one weekend only, the man normally seen in a Williams shirt on the pit wall will trade data screens for a full-face helmet – and F1 fans will get to watch their team boss fight for overall honours under the Yas Marina floodlights.