In a critical analysis, former F1 driver Marc Surer has voiced strong opinions about Williams’ team boss, James Vowles, labeling him as ‘overrated.’ Surer attributes the team’s recent struggles directly to Vowles’ leadership, contrasting the current performance with the improvements seen under former boss Jost Capito.
James Vowles, a long-time figure at Team Brackley, made a bold move by leaving his position as Mercedes’ chief strategist to take on the role of team principal at Williams. His first season in 2023 saw notable progress, with Williams earning 28 points and securing seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship.
However, the 2024 season has proven to be more challenging. With only four points from the first 14 rounds, Vowles has been actively sharing his vision for the team’s future, emphasizing a focus on the regulatory changes set for 2026. Despite this strategic outlook, Marc Surer remains skeptical about the effectiveness of Vowles’ leadership.
Reflecting on the team’s current state, Surer remarked, ‘Why should they suddenly get so much better now? They have got worse this year, you mustn’t forget that! I’ve often said that James Vowles is simply overrated. Jost Capito built a car with his people. James Vowles came to Williams, took the car, and they finished in the points. It looked really good, and all the praise went to James Vowles – but not to the man who built the car. Jost Capito was gone. And now that he is building his own car this year, the car is too heavy and too slow, and the updates are too slow. I think they have clearly deteriorated at Williams.’
Surer also commented on Carlos Sainz’s decision to join Williams, suggesting it was a risky move given the team’s current form. He stated, ‘Maybe they’ll learn from that now and things will be a bit better next year,’ but cautioned against expecting a major turnaround. Instead, he predicted that while Williams might score more points, they are unlikely to close the gap to the front of the grid significantly.
James Vowles, on his part, has confirmed that updates are on the way post-summer break. ‘We have updates coming after the summer break,’ Vowles told the media. He anticipates improvements coming from enhancements in aerodynamics, suspension updates, and weight reduction, hoping these changes will put Williams back in contention for points. When Carlos Sainz joins the team for the next season, he will team up with Alex Albon, who has been the sole points scorer for Williams in 2024 with four points.
The coming seasons will be crucial for Williams as they balance short-term gains with long-term goals centered around the 2026 regulatory changes. Whether Vowles can transform his strategic vision into on-track results remains a topic of debate.
The criticism from Marc Surer spotlights the pressures and expectations placed on James Vowles as he leads Williams through a transitional period. With significant updates planned and a focus on future regulations, the team’s journey under Vowles’ guidance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
