Toto Wolff’s Former Aide Looks to Lead Williams F1 Away From Mercedes Ties: “We Will Make Decisions…”

Williams has been one of the most renowned teams in the history of formula. The squad, however, didn’t manage to live up to expectations in the most recent seasons. However, to change the team’s fortunes, over the winter, the team experienced some changes in the hierarchy. Now the team’s new boss, a former Mercedes employee, James Vowles, wants to steer the British team away from its links to the German manufacturers.

The team’s financial backing does not match that of the other dominant teams in the sport. This has forced them to compete at the rear of the grid for a number of years. Besides, the British team has developed a strong relationship with the German manufacturer throughout the years. Both teams have benefited from their collaboration.

On the one hand, the Silver Arrows provide the team with their engines and several car parts, while on the other, the Brackley-based side has signed two of the most outstanding Williams drivers, Valtteri Bottas and George Russell. Although these events had already passed, now it appears that Vowles, who has worked for Mercedes for more than 10 years as a strategic director, wants to cut all links with Toto Wolff’s team.

As we all know, FIA will update the power unit regulation prior to 2026. Amidst stating that the existing agreement with Mercedes is satisfactory, Vowles adds that the team would consider all of its options before making any obligations to Silver Arrows. Vowles remarked in a statement to RacingNews365.com, “We are delighted with our long-standing relationship [with Mercedes]. Mercedes has definitely produced the best power unit on average in the last 15 years. Still, we have to review where we are right now, or rather, make sure we review the entire market. We will make decisions on this issue shortly.” [Translated Via Google]

READ MORE: Blonde Bombshell” Alex Albon Leaves Fans in Splits With Pieces of Advice Against “High Maintenance” Activity

Williams has put on some memorable performances, but many still regard the squad as the backfield unit. It follows that both the team and the fans will expect to see some changes. However, the recently hired team boss Vowles believes that they should sacrifice the squad’s current performance, but why?

Learning the masterstrokes from Toto Wolff and Mercedes, James Vowles tries to implement them at Williams

The British engineer expected an uphill battle when he accepted the new role at Williams. Despite being aware of the British team’s precise condition, Vowles said in a column published on the Williams website that he isn’t interested in putting in the time and effort necessary to enhance the existing vehicle.

He said, ” We are looking to set foundations that remain here not for just one year but more three to five years. It takes time to put those in place, it takes time to cement them and for them to take hold. What we cannot do is sacrifice any of those for the short-term benefit of the FW45.”

They queried the Britishman in Bahrain if those remarks suggested no progress. He clarified by saying, “If you have a choice between making a decision that improves us next week or one that can improve us significantly more in six months, 12 months, or 24 months. You go with the latter of those two decisions.”

Vowles indicated that there would be some progress. He said, “You still have a wind tunnel, however, and that has to go through the process it normally would do to evaluate performance. And that will, I’m sure, result in performance that we can add to the car this year.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Top 5 Williams F1 Liveries of All-Time

With Vowles taking the charge at Williams, do you think the British team’s illustrious past will return soon?