After being Toto Wolff’s right-hand man for almost a decade, James Vowles was appointed by Williams racing as their new Team Principal in 2023. While the interesting appointment may bring the struggling Williams team a few inches closer to their former glory, it is not without certain skepticism from other teams. Case in point; Red Bull Boss.

Vowles’ appointment to Grove-based team has drawn more attention than ever. The transfer of an integral person of the Mercedes team to its power unit customer, Williams has had heads turned to speculate what that means for the alliance. The most recent one to chime in is none other than Christian Horner, who believes that it may be more beneficial for the Silver Arrows than what is apparent.

The Red Bull team principal, in his interview with MotorSport magazine, said, “I don’t know James particularly well, but he’s obviously a very capable guy. Williams will have done their due diligence and research and I think it’s great that they’re giving him the chance to make that step up. So I think that can only be good news for Williams.”

He further gave into his inkling and said, “And is there anything attached to that? Williams would have obviously done what’s right for them and right for their business. But only they will know what has been agreed for that early release to have happened.”

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Horner is not the only one surprised by Vowles’s appointment. His old boss was also taken by surprise by the news.

Mercedes Boss surprised by Vowles’ appointment

Last season saw an almost unprecedented silly season involving team bosses. It came to an end with the rulers of the turbo hybrid era losing their chief strategist to the far end of the grid. The Brackley outfit’s customer team, Williams, will now be led by the former’s strategist, who to his credit has some very crucial race wins. Mercedes Boss, Toto Wolff, admitted to the move being a surprising one for him.

As quoted by PlanetF1, Wolff told Speedweek.com, “It came as quite a surprise.” However, no love seems lost between them as he added, “But he is someone who always had this goal in mind, and with us, such a rise is currently blocked by me.”

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With Vowles’s appointment, there is a certainty of some stirring of the pot. What do you think the 2023 season will be like with this new development?