Williams have no interest in following a ‘Haas model’ on F1 resurgence path

Despite the addition of ex-Mercedes man James Vowles, Williams have no interest in pursuing a Haas-Ferrari like relationship with Mercedes.

Williams have no interest in following a ‘Haas model’ on F1 resurgence path

Dave Robson, Williams' Head of Vehicle Performance

In 2023, Williams F1’s team principal will be James Vowles, who was formerly the chief strategist at Mercedes. He was with the same ‘team’ (BAR -> Honda -> Brawn GP, and now Mercedes) for more than 20 years. Williams’ are an engine ‘customer’ team of Mercedes, that has earlier fielded drivers who then joined Mercedes like Valtteri Bottas or George Russell. In Russell’s case, he was a member of the Silver Arrows’ academy.

Considering this closeness between the two teams, many people were suspicious of Vowles’ becoming team principal, as they felt Williams could become a ‘mini-Mercedes’. Both Toto Wolff and Vowles rubbished this assumption, but people still expect the relationship between both teams to grow even closer. Regardless of whether Williams become a ‘mini-Mercedes’ or not.

YouTube video

One team that have a pretty close relationship with its engine supplier is Haas. Apart from the engine, they also buy many transferrable components from Ferrari, even if they aim to be independent soon. Haas’ design office is even located in Ferrari’s Maranello complex – though there is no transfer of intellectual property. Despite the ‘mini-Mercedes’ allegations, Williams don’t want such a close relationship with Mercedes.

FS Video

As per Autosport, Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance at Williams, said: “I think we can do what we need to do with the relationship we currently have with Mercedes for the next couple of years. I think we can do what we need to do with the relationship we currently have with Mercedes for the next couple of years. We’ll see what the future holds for 2026 when things get shaken up again. But I don’t think we want to follow a Haas model.”

Read More: Former F1 driver suspects “Mercedes element” in James Vowles’s appointment as Williams Team Principal

Dave Robson’s take on Williams F1’s new boss – James Vowles

Williams team principal James Vowles
Williams team principal James Vowles

As previously mentioned, James Vowles is the new Williams team principal. The Briton clearly has a lot of experience, and more importantly, he has that, in a key role, at a team like Mercedes. The Silver Arrows were the dominant force in Formula 1 between 2014 and 2021. That’s one positive at least. But he has not yet joined up with them – that will happen on 20th February, just 3 days before the pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain.

As they were never on a team together, Dave Robson does not know Vowles particularly well. But he did compliment his new team principal – calling him ‘very smart’. Robson said: “When he arrives in a couple of weeks time we’ll find out what he’s got planned. He does bring a wealth of experience from Mercedes and it’s previous incarnations. He knows what it takes to be at the top and staying at the top. He’s very ambitious and clearly very smart. We’re looking forward to getting him onboard.”

Time will tell what Vowles can do at Williams, but the task at hand is clearly not an easy one. The Grove outfit, who had their heyday in the 90s with five Constructors’ championship wins (out of six) between 1992-1997, have struggled in recent years. It’s about time to start working for a future resurgence.

In case you missed it: