Williams team boss Vowles may not lure some employees away from Mercedes

Williams had hoped to make a relatively big step forward on the grid in 2023 after a disappointing 2022, but that has so far failed to materialise. The British formation, which has a new team boss with James Vowles as of this season, is working hard to close the gap and become part of the midfield in 2024. That includes good personnel. Vowles is in talks with several candidates to strengthen Williams.

"Do people make a good team? Absolutely. That would always be the first thing I would mention. We have good staff at Williams," Vowles said in an interview with Auto, Motor und Sport. However, good is not good enough. "We need to strengthen it with expertise and knowledge from outside. Following the principle: this is where we should be, this is where we fall short and this is how we close it."

The 43-year-old Briton went on to explain that his staff must also have the right facilities to make things possible. For Williams, this is tricky because some parts they cannot produce themselves and so have to be outsourced. "Then it no longer costs you the same price, but double or triple. And it takes longer. Usually the quality is also different." That money spent (extra) has to be taken from another item. Less staff, for example. These are tough choices for Williams.

New engineers for Williams?

It limits the current number nine among constructors in the budget ceiling. In any case, Vowles may not simply bring employees from his previous employer Mercedes to Williams either. "That is true. But that does not only apply between Mercedes and me. Anyone who leaves a team cannot just take people from there. In my particular circumstances, I know some very intelligent people from other organisations that I am in talks with."

Due to the introduction of the budget cap, the top teams currently employ fewer staff than before. Top engineers have left because their salaries were not within the budget cap, Vowles agrees. The Williams team boss therefore states. "Hopefully a few of them will find their way to us."