Lewis Hamilton says he is confident James Bowles will return the Williams F1 team to competitive status as new F1 team principal.
James Bowles has spent the last few years in a team strategy role at Mercedes F1, a man who helped dominate the team throughout the turbo-hybrid era.
Mercedes F1 won eight consecutive constructors’ championships from 2014 to 2021 and seven consecutive drivers’ titles.
However, the Williams F1 team has waned towards the back of the field, finishing bottom of the championship in four of the last five seasons.
James Bowles will take over as Formula 1 team principal at Williams, replacing Jost Capito, who has chosen to step down after the 2022 season.
Lewis Hamilton thanked James Bowles on social media.
“I am proud and grateful to have worked with James for the last ten years,” Hamilton wrote.
“Together we’ve won over 80 races and won 15 titles. It’s such a great move and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
“For us to progress we need to change and I am confident he will make Williams a more competitive team. There is no one better suited for this role and I wish him all the best.”
Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton reacted positively when he was told about the new role of James Bowles.
“His first reaction was, ‘That’s great for James.’ I think that’s probably the important sentence,” said Wolff.
James Bowles said, “I don’t know if it means anything, but when I called him, the first words that came out of his mouth were not to insult or disappoint me. was quite the opposite,” he said.
James Bowles will begin his new role on February 20 as F1 enters its second year of operation under the new technical regulations.
Williams will reveal the 2023 livery on February 6, but has not given any details as to when the actual car will be on display.
Category: F1 / Lewis Hamilton / Williams / mercedes