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Horner alludes to closer ties Mercedes and Williams after Vowles' switch

Horner alludes to closer ties Mercedes and Williams after Vowles' switch

05-02-2023 17:07 Last update: 18:11
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GPblog.com

Williams managed to pluck James Vowles away from Mercedes following Jost Capito's departure as team boss. The team of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell thus loses an experienced force that has proven itself in recent years. Is it a sign that Williams may become a B-team of Mercedes in the future? Christian Horner at least calls it "interesting".

After all, why else would Mercedes let one of its leaders go so easily? It is a question that has been asked many times since Vowles' announcement at Williams. If Mercedes gains more influence at Williams, it will bring great benefits. One is, for example, that it can let young talent gain experience at the highest level, as Red Bull can now do with AlphaTauri.

Another scenario that Vowles has been given a free ride by Mercedes to gain experience as team boss, so that he can succeed Toto Wolff at Mercedes in a few years' time. Wolff has been the German racing stable's team boss since 2013 and there are stories that the 51-year-old team boss does not want to hold the position for another decade.

Horner responds

When asked by Autosport.com whether Vowles' switch could indicate that Williams might become a 'B-team' sometime in the coming seasons, Horner said. "As far as James Vowles, obviously, I don't know him very well, but he's obviously a very capable guy. Williams have their own ambitions. But it will be obviously interesting to see if there is a closer alignment between those two teams at the upcoming F1 Commission meetings and other interactions with the commercial rights holder and regulator."

So Red Bull's team boss is not really commenting on it, although he does suggest that he suspects that Mercedes and Williams will be even more likely to engage with each other when discussions are held.