Williams team principal James Vowles has expressed interest in competing in an endurance race alongside his Formula 1 drivers, Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. This ambition follows Vowles’s recent participation in a two-day GT3 test in Spain, where he drove a McLaren 720S GT3 Evo between the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix.
James Vowles’s Experience in GT3 Testing
Vowles spent two days at the Circuito de Navarra in Spain testing the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo with Garage 59. Recounting the experience, he described the technical circuit as “mostly dry” and expressed enthusiasm about reconnecting with a team he has a strong history with. Despite feeling a bit rusty at the start due to being away from GT3 racing for several years, Vowles was pleased with his progress over the testing period. He shared that he had to switch off much of his engineering mindset to focus purely on driving, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
When asked about why he tested with McLaren rather than Williams’s power unit supplier Mercedes, Vowles told Sky Sports F1,
“I have done work with Merc beforehand, but I have no affiliation in that world.”
He further explained,
“I actually really like McLaren to drive, and the team is one that I’ve been driving for, for probably the last three or four years, so go where you’re comfortable.”
Endurance Racing Aspirations with Sainz and Albon
While Max Verstappen dominated his GT3 debut at the Nordschleife between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, Vowles does not plan to take on that specific track. However, he is keen on the idea of competing in an endurance race alongside Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. He confirmed that both drivers are allowed to participate, emphasizing that any additional demands on them must be carefully considered given their packed F1 schedules.
Vowles noted the intensity of Formula 1 commitments, pointing out that the drivers race approximately 24 weekends each year alongside frequent testing. He said,
“And I think any more demand on them would be inappropriate or wrong for me to ask. If they ever want to do it, we’ll find a way of making it work.”
Future Plans and the Road Ahead
The Williams team principal is determined to return to competitive racing himself, aiming for more time behind the wheel in the coming days. Vowles indicated that it’s been a couple of years since he last raced competitively alongside professional drivers. His growing passion for endurance racing reflects a desire to explore new challenges beyond his primary role, while ensuring it aligns with the team’s and drivers’ priorities.
With Max Verstappen’s impressive GT3 success setting a high bar, Vowles remains cautious but hopeful about carving out a place for himself, Sainz, and Albon in endurance racing. The possibility of merging their Formula 1 careers with endurance events could add a new dimension to their racing endeavors if scheduling and physical demands are carefully managed.
