Russell and Vowles make team swap: 'Get ready for some surprises'

The arrival of George Russell at Mercedes made the British driver and James Vowles colleagues for a year. Vowles goes from sporting/strategic director at Mercedes now to Williams as the team boss. Russell prepares his former colleague.

Indeed, Russell knows after having driven at Williams for three years that Vowles has quite a task ahead of him. In the past five seasons, the team finished last in the championship no less than four times. At Speedcafe.com begins Russell: "I'm happy for James. I think he really deserves this opportunity. He's an incredibly hard worker."

From champion to straggler

The Mercedes driver says Vowles has left Mercedes in good hands. Indeed, the Briton took an overarching role, leaving decisions mostly to other staff members. Russell tips the brand-new team boss on his start at Williams: "I am sure he's going to have a few surprises. Naturally, when you’ve you’ve spent so long at such a team (in Mercedes) with so many championships under its belt."

Russell finally mentions that the work to be done at Williams is a huge task, but he sees no more suitable candidate to lead the team than Vowles.