Williams have pinched James Vowles from Mercedes as their new team principal

Williams Racing will start the 2023 Formula One season with a new team principal. James Vowles, who helped Mercedes F1 rewrite the history books in the last decade, will lead the storied British team from this season.

The 43-year-old Brit takes over from outgoing team boss Jost Capito, and brings a wealth of experience and success to the role, having played an instrumental part in securing eight consecutive F1 constructors’ titles for Merc.

Vowles, in a career spanning 21 years, is no stranger to making history. His appointment is trailed by a wake of success with British American Racing, Honda and Brawn GP - the latter of which saw Jenson Button lift his first drivers' title and the team secure the constructors' title in its only year of existence.

Of the move, Vowles said: “It's an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage. The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge.

"Mercedes have been hugely supportive on my journey, and we part on excellent terms after over 20 years of working in Brackley. It has been such a special experience to journey together through failure and success.” Overseeing the same kind of success at Williams will be no mean feat. Last year, they finished last after completing 17 of the season's 22 races without scoring.

Chairman of Williams owners Dorilton, Matthew Savage, said: "We are delighted to welcome James to Williams Racing. He is one of the most highly respected talents in Formula One and will bring performance. He has been a key part of some of the most impressive feats in the sport over the past 15 years. As we continue our relentless pursuit for results, we believe that the appointment of James reinforces our dedication to ensuring we have energetic, experienced, and strong leadership as we move into the next phase of transforming Williams Racing.”

Merc F1 boss Toto Wolff added: "James has been a highly valued member of our team in his role as motorsport strategy director, playing an integral part in our success in recent years. Having worked with him since I first joined the team in 2013, I know how diligent, capable and talented he is and have taken great satisfaction from watching James develop and grow over the past decade.

"Since stepping back from the pit wall mid-season last year, he has continued to build the capability of our strategy team at Brackley, and we have a fantastic group of talented strategists who will continue their superb work in the years to come. While we are naturally sad to be saying goodbye to such a capable member of the team, I have no doubts whatsoever that he has all the necessary skills to become a fantastic team principal in Formula One. We wish him every success and are delighted that he will take this next step in his career with Williams, a strong technical partner of ours and one that has a place close to my own heart.”

The new Williams F1 chief has a few weeks to figure out how he’s going to break ground with baby-faced drivers Alex Albon and American rookie Logan Sargeant going into the first round in Bahrain on 3 March 2023.