A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss and Cadillac F1 Team Principal Graeme Lowdon in Monza. Photo: RacePictures.
They’re going to struggle. That’s my belief. It is hard now in modern-day Formula 1 to be competitive.- James Vowles
The American marque will make its debut in 2026 with Sergio Perez and fellow veteran Valtteri Bottas leading the line-up, joined by Colton Herta in a test driver and F2 role.
It will mark the first new team on the grid since Haas arrived in 2016, but unlike Haas, Cadillac intends to build both chassis and, eventually, its own power units. For now, Ferrari hardware will power the programme.
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Despite Cadillac’s bold ambitions and heavyweight backing, Vowles is adamant that time and experience can’t be bought.
Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, he said: “The bits I said publicly on it were what we spoke about our loss, you know what our losses are. Let’s get to the point where this sport is survivable, where you have 10 teams making at least break-even.
"I’m not talking profit, just break even. And that was my ask. I think it’s a bit early to bring them in. I think Cadillac, on the converse, is a strong brand and a good brand to bring in."
Vowles argued that the grid is already operating on thin margins, and that breaking even should have been the sport’s priority before introducing another team.
He added: "As a result, they’re going to struggle, though. That’s my belief of it. It is hard now in modern-day Formula 1 to be competitive.”
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Vowles knows it all too well
Vowles is currently serving out his third season as team principal at Williams Racing, but before he'd been Mercedes for a stint of over a decade and a half, having been absorbed during the German brand's acquisition of the championship winning Brawn GP team.
Given his resumé, it is safe to assume that the Grove-based squad's leader is speaking from a well-educated perspective. After all the F1 2025 season marks the third consecutive year Vowles' team shows tangible progress, when compared to the year before.
Having achieved his first F1 podium as team principal in Baku, his words, more than a word of wisdom, may now be a stark prediction.
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