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1996 Formula One World Champions Damon Hill has spoken highly of new Williams team principal James Vowles, claiming the former Mercedes man “sounds very like Ross Brawn.”
Vowles joined Williams ahead of the 2022 season, having previously worked as Motorsport Strategy Director at Mercedes, being with the Silver Arrows for 21 years, including the time when the team went under the mantle of British American Racing, Honda, and Brawn GP.
The team are currently sat in last in the constructors championship, however, driver Alex Albon spoke highly of the work at the team and where they are now compared to last year.
Hill, who won his championship during his time at Williams, is confident that Vowles is a good choice to continue to lead the team forward.
“They’ve got James Vowles, who’s got such a lot of knowledge from Mercedes, the dominant Mercedes team,” said Hill on the F1 Nation Podcast.
“I listen to him and I think he sounds very like Ross Brawn,”
“[He has a] measured way of talking. He never sounds flustered at all, and he’s clear in his own mind as to what he’s doing.
“I think he will sort out [the team]. I think it’s what Williams have been crying out for for years.”
Despite only having one point on the board so far this season, there have been promising signs for Williams this season.
Albon brought home the team’s first point in Sakhir, with team-mate Logan Sargeant also putting in a good display but coming home in p12 on the day.
A disappointing Saudi Arabian Grand Prix followed, with Albon not completing the race with reports of brake issues forcing them to retire the car with Sargeant coming home in p16 on the day.
Melbourne did look as if it was going to show more promise for Vowles and Williams, with Albon starting in p8 and Sargeant in p18.
However, a crash from Albon saw him retire early whilst Sargeant went into the back of AlphaTauri driver Nyck De Vries to ensure Williams went home empty-handed.
Steps forward are clear though, a p8 in qualifying simply wasn’t possible for the team last season but it looks as if Albon will be able to continue to get the best of the car this year.
It will be vital for their hopes that rookie Sargeant can pick up a few points in his first year in Formula One or Williams could be bound for last place once again.
Headline Image Credit: Williams Racing