Williams F1 Boss James Vowles Wins on Racing Return at Gulf 12 Hours

Williams Racing Team Principal James Vowles has successfully returned to competitive driving, securing a class victory in the Gulf 12 Hours endurance race at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit. Vowles, sharing the Garage 59 #8 McLaren 720S GT3 with Alexander West, Marco Pulcini, and Mark Sansom, helped the team win the Am category and finish 10th overall in a 20-car field, marking a triumphant personal comeback.

Why it matters:

A Formula 1 team principal actively competing—and winning—in a major endurance event is a rare occurrence that highlights a unique blend of managerial and driving skills. Vowles's successful return demonstrates that the intense demands of leading an F1 team can coexist with high-level racing, offering a fresh perspective on leadership within the sport's pressurized environment.

The details:

• Vowles and his Garage 59 teammates clinched the Am class victory after 12 hours of racing, securing the team's second consecutive class win at the event.
• The strong result was built on a qualifying performance where the car qualified first in class, fourth in the Pro-Am category, and 13th overall.
• On a personal note, Vowles was pleased with his own pace, finishing as the second-fastest driver in his qualifying group and the quickest bronze-graded driver.
• The race was Vowles's first competitive sports car outing since competing in the Asian Le Mans Series in 2022, also with Garage 59.

The big picture:

Vowles's decision to race was carefully calculated, contingent on Williams F1 being in a stable position. Following the team's improved 2025 season—where it finished fifth in the constructors' championship—he felt confident stepping away briefly. He has cited his love for GT3 racing and the learning experience it provides as key motivations, viewing it not as a distraction but as a valuable complementary activity to his F1 role.

What's next:

The victory caps off a positive period for Vowles, coming just a week after the F1 season concluded at the same circuit. While his primary focus remains on guiding Williams's continued progress in Formula 1, the successful return likely fuels the possibility of future selective racing appearances, balancing his leadership duties with his passion for driving.