Claire Williams, former leader of the Formula 1 team that bears her family name, praised the hiring of James Vowles by Dorilton as a significant achievement. Williams stepped down as Team Principal after her family sold the team to the American investment firm Dorilton Capital for a staggering $179.5 million in August 2020. Her final years in charge were marked by financial difficulties, a consequence of the pre-Liberty Media era exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. After Williams’ departure, Simon Roberts briefly took over before being succeeded by Jost Capito, who eventually paved the way for Vowles at the end of the 2022 season. In an interview with Blackbook Motorsport, Williams expressed her satisfaction with Vowles’ hiring, stating: “I am delighted that someone of James’ caliber is leading the team. Few possess the expertise needed to manage a team, let alone revive one that was in dire straits – and I can say that because I was in charge! The new owners, Dorilton, made an impressive move in luring him away from Mercedes. Although it is no longer in our hands, I still feel a strong attachment to Williams and have a keen interest in who is in charge and representing it.”
Vowles joined the Williams team after a stint at Mercedes, where he held the position of Strategy Director.
In his first season leading the former Grand Prix giants, Vowles led Williams to their best position in the Constructors’ Championship since 2017. They finished the 2023 season in seventh place, accumulating a total of 28 points.
However, the start of the 2024 season has been less than ideal for Williams, as they have failed to score points in the first three races.
Your problems were further aggravated in Australia, when Alex Albon crashed a chassis during practice. With no spare chassis available, Vowles and the team made the decision to withdraw Logan Sargeant from the rest of the Grand Prix, allowing Albon, who has more experience, a better chance to score points.
Despite the challenges faced in 2024, Vowles seems to be the first Team Principal of the Dorilton era with the potential to lead Williams in a positive long-term direction.
Four years after leaving her position, Williams reflects on her time away from Formula 1 with mixed emotions.
“Being involved in Formula 1 for 45 years is a significant amount of time. It shapes your life, defines your character, and influences who you are,” she expressed.
“Williams was my entire existence, so being away from the sport for four years still feels surreal and a bit sad, to be honest.
“I miss Formula 1. It’s an amazing world to be a part of and it consumes you completely, especially when you’re leading a team.
“Going out and finding meaning and purpose elsewhere is extremely challenging, but now I have the opportunity to be a mother to my young son, something I missed out on in the early years because of my commitments to Williams.
“I can also be a wife and we recently moved to a new home. I do some occasional work here and there, and overall, it’s a very rewarding way to live.”
© 2024
Portugal wins Euro 2020 in thrilling final against Germany
Last Sunday, the Portuguese national football team won Euro 2020 in a thrilling final against Germany. The match, which took place at Wembley Stadium in London, ended with Portugal’s victory by 2-1.
The match was full of emotions from the beginning. Germany opened the scoring just 15 minutes into the first half, with a goal from Müller. However, Portugal managed to equalize still in the first half, with a beautiful shot from Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the second half, both teams showed great balance and sought the winning goal at all times. It was in the 78th minute that Portugal managed to score the goal that gave them the title. In a rehearsed corner kick play, Bruno Fernandes headed into the back of the net, securing the victory for the Portuguese team.
With this achievement, Portugal becomes a two-time champion of the Eurocup, repeating the feat of 2016. The team led by coach Fernando Santos showed a lot of determination and grit throughout the tournament, and now celebrates another title for Portuguese football history.
In addition to the title, Cristiano Ronaldo also stood out individually. The forward, who is already considered one of the greatest players of all time, was the top scorer of the competition, with 5 goals scored. Ronaldo once again showed his skill and leadership on the field, being essential for Portugal’s victory.
Portugal’s victory in the Eurocup is a source of pride for the entire country. The Portuguese team showed excellent performance throughout the tournament, overcoming great opponents and showing the strength of Portuguese football. Now, fans celebrate another achievement and eagerly await the team’s next challenges.
