James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams Racing, shares his journey from leaving Mercedes to join Williams in Formula 1. He discusses the challenges he faced, managing talents like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, and why culture and people are crucial in building a championship-winning team. James also reflects on sacrifices, the power of failure, and the importance of investing in health for high performance.

In this engaging discussion, James Vowles, the Principal of Williams F1, shares his commitment to reviving the iconic team's culture. He emphasizes the values of transparency, consistency, and authenticity in leadership. Vowles explains how fostering a sense of belonging boosts teamwork under pressure. He highlights the significance of inclusion in driving performance and unity, while revealing how every team member can contribute to a positive culture shift. Listeners gain insight into Vowles' vision for a brighter future for Williams amidst the competitive landscape of Formula One.

Williams haven’t won a Formula 1 title since 1997. In recent years, they’ve become all too familiar with the back of the grid. But after Alex Albon’s mighty P7 in Canada, is Team Principal James Vowles starting to turn things around? He arrived at Williams with a wealth of experience and a winning mentality – having played a huge role in Mercedes’ unprecedented eight Constructor Championships in a row. Speaking to Tom Clarkson at the team’s base in Grove, James outlines what success looks like for Williams in the near future. He talks about where the team is lacking compared to others, how Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant are working together, and the lessons he’s learned from Mercedes. Plus, hear how Lewis Hamilton compares to other World Champions James has worked with, and much more. Follow, rate and review F1 Beyond The Grid and share this episode using #F1BeyondTheGrid. Related episodes Alex Albon  Logan Sargeant Lewis Hamilton Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal  Ross Brawn, special episode on Brawn GP’s fairytale 2009 season  Mercedes’ Brackley Boys, featuring James, on 20 years of racing together

We’ve done something a little different this week, because we haven’t got one special guest, but four! And the glue that links the fab four is that not only do they all work at Mercedes, they’ve all been with the Brackley-based team since the beginning – back when they were BAR, then Honda, then Brawn GP and finally Mercedes. Join Tom as he shares the stories of Ron Meadows, Andrew Shovlin, Simon Cole and James Vowles and the collective highs and lows that bond them together like brothers. Sponsor: Protect yourself with expressvpn.com/GRID

James Vowles, the Team Principal at Williams Racing, is determined to revive one of Formula 1's most renowned teams. He shares his early struggles in the competitive world of racing and his journey through prestigious teams like Honda and Mercedes. Vowles discusses the critical need for investment and cultural shifts to restore Williams to its former glory by 2027-2028. His insights into data strategies and the importance of teamwork highlight the challenges and triumphs of modern racing.