“I Have Money”: Williams’ Boss Poaches F1 Veteran From Alpine to Clear Ambitious Intentions

A Formula 1 team receives a big financial investment, resulting in a management shake-up. Does this sound familiar? You might be thinking of Alpine receiving a $218 million investment a month ago, after which the Enstone outfit ousted its CEO, Laurent Rossi. But Alpine’s not the only team to kickstart a management shake-up due to an investment. In that regard, Williams started its shake-up much earlier. After US investment firm Dorilton Capital acquired the team in 2020, it injected more than $46 million into the team shortly after it started the shake-up, which involved former Team Principal Jost Capito leaving the team along with its technical director in December 2022. And since James Volwles became in charge of the Grove outfit, Williams hasn’t had a technical director. But Vowles just changed that at the expense of Alpine.

Williams has been without a technical director since Francois-Xavier Demaison left in December. To put into perspective what it would mean not to have a technical director, the RB19 wouldn’t be the beast it is without Red Bull’s Chief Technology Officer, Adrian Newey. So, Vowles seems to have found the person for the job—F1 veteran engineer Pat Fry, currently working as the CTO for Alpine. Having started his career in 1987, Williams will be the fifth team the 59-year-old would work for when he joins Grove at the end of the season. But considering Williams is far from its glory days, how did Vowles convince Fry to leave Alpine?

While talking about Fry’s move, as quoted by motorsport.com, he said, “I think what I can tell you is that as people’s heads are held high here [at Williams], and other people’s heads are turned towards us as well. I think everyone’s realized, actually that the investment is real, the direction of travel is real.” Williams finished 10th last year, but with its development and upgrades this year, it’s well ahead of the back of the field. And according to Vowles, the investment by Dorilton has helped with the upgrades and gained recognition from others.

He continued, “I’ve been speaking out publicly about it in F1 Commissions, I have money, let me spend it so this becomes a meritocracy. But that’s attracting people that realize we’re on the pathway to moving forward.”

Read More: Despite Shock Withdrawal, Ex-Williams Boss Reveals It Was” Always the Plan” to Pave the Way for Mercedes Star

Vowles believes Williams has what it takes to return to the top, and he knows how to use the available finances to get the team there. And with the strides the team has made this season, it is shifting focus to 2024.

James Vowles & Co. believe it’s the right time to concentrate on the FW46

Considering where Williams was last season, the Grove outfit has made a significant step forward this season. To put its performance into perspective, the FW45 was the fastest car in a straight line at the Canadian GP, which helped Alexander Albon achieve his and Williams’ best result of the season—a P7. He formed a DRS train behind him, not letting anyone pass, primarily because of the car’s straight-line speed. While addressing further upgrades to the FW45, head of vehicle development, Dave Robson, said, as quoted by motorsport.com, “I think most of what was in the pipeline, we’ve now delivered.”

With no major upgrades in the coming races, he said, it’s now about the right time to start focusing on next year’s car. And also just continuing to understand what we’ve got now, run what we’ve got through a few different types of circuit and just kind of hone our set-up around it and get the drivers to push the most out of it.”

What do you think about Williams’ performance this season?

WATCH THIS STORY | Alex Albon’s Crazy Bet Gets Williams Racing to Dye Their Hair Red