Williams Formula 1 Team Principal James Vowles talks about his team’s major recruitment drive: 250 new employees in a short space of time
Since the purchase of the Williams Formula 1 team by Dorilton Capital in 2020, Grove has been undergoing a major upgrade. Not only is the outdated infrastructure gradually being overhauled, but more and more personnel are also moving to the traditional team, which is not just about the legendary driver signing of Carlos Sainz
Williams recently announced that it has recruited no fewer than 26 senior staff from Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and Alpine, and team principal James Vowles reveals that he has recruited over 250 staff since taking over.
“I didn’t know where to draw the line because if I had made the [announcement] a week later it would have been 30,” says the Briton of the new recruits from top teams. “We have taken on almost 250 new employees in the last 17 months. These are key executives from other Formula 1 teams who will have a direct impact from the moment they join.”
“Of the other 26 new hires, I think 11 are in aerodynamics, where we previously had about 50 people or so. If you add another layer to that, you get an idea of how much growth we have as a result.”
“When I joined the team, we were about 700 people. The livery on the car at Silverstone [on which the names of all Williams members formed the British flag] had 1005 names on it. That’s Williams today, and that’s not the end of our journey by any stretch of the imagination. You don’t get there by accident, you get there because people believe in what you’re doing. People see that Williams isn’t just along for the ride anymore. “
Vowles: “Have the best drivers in the field ”
The racing team’s ambition is also reflected in the signing of star driver Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, who has committed himself to the team on a multi-year contract. A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable that such a top driver could be lured to Grove. However, Williams has prevailed against the competition from Alpine and Audi.
“In Alex and Carlos, I think we have the best drivers in the field,” says Vowles. “There are no politics. Both are incredibly fast and want to go on this journey with us. Both will do what it takes to get results.”
“It’s been many years since we’ve been in a position like this as Williams. This is an opportunity for us, a springboard to the future. And it also sends a clear message to the outside world: this is no longer the old Williams. We want to move forward again, and our driver duo underlines that. “