Latest news with #Grove-based
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
F1 stars discuss which teams they could join in secret chats away from prying eyes
Carlos Sainz has been around the block in Formula One and is certainly well in tune with the rumour mill surrounding the sport, which he opened up on in a recent podcast appearance Carlos Sainz admitted there is a location where Formula One stars secretly discuss their future. The Williams star has driven for five teams in the sport so far and is not certainly not a stranger when it comes to speculation about a seat on the grid. Currently in the midst of his first season with the British team after he was replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton last year, he's been partnered up with Alex Albon but has endured a tricky campaign with just 16 points to his name after 13 races. Sainz's departure from Ferrari came as a shock to the F1 world, especially after having a career-best year in 2024 where he finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship standings with 290 points, just two behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri. However, a chance to acquire the seven-time world champion was an opportunity the Prancing Horse simply couldn't turn down. Speculation surrounding where Sainz would race next was strife and during an appearance on The High Performance Podcast, the 30-year-old said he had discussed his future with Albon before signing with the Grove-based team. "I already knew Alex," the Spaniard said. "I had talked with him in the paddock. I remember a few times like, 'Are you coming or not?' I was like 'Probably, I think so.'" Sainz then told Jake Humphrey that the drivers' parade, when the stars of F1 are taken around the track on a truck before a race, is an ideal place for the racers to speak about their future away from watching eyes and ears. He continued: "We always have those kind of conversations in the drivers parade. If it's silly season, we talk a bit about silly season and I think everyone at the time was asking me, 'Where are you going, what are you going to do?' and I must have talked with him about it." With Sainz in a lowly 16th place in the standings, Albon sits eighth with 54 points to his name, just nine behind Mercedes ' Kimi Antonelli. While the Williams pair look to enjoy a friendly relationship, the 'Smooth Operator' admitted they have no qualms about going to battle on the track. "Don't underestimate that even Alex and myself when we put the helmet on, we want to beat each other as much as any other team-mate in the grid," he added. "It's just when we take our helmets off, we sit in that meeting and we give feedback about the car. "A good thing that we managed to do is leave the ego aside, leave your personal interests aside and say, 'How do we make this car quicker as soon as possible?' For that, I'm more honest than I would be with him or other team-mates about what I feel on the car and he's more honest with me on the past of the car and where the car has ended up. Sainz also opened up about feeling rocked by Ferrari's decision to replace him with the Brit. Admitting that he believed he was set to remain with the Italian team for the foreseeable future, it was a phone call that let him know of Frederic Vasseur's decision to part ways with him that left him "completely shocked." "I received a phone call and I suddenly received the news," he explained on the podcast. "I was completely shocked. I went from believing I was going to be in Ferrari for a while to, 'What am I going to do now?' "It never occurred to me that that could happen." When asked whether he was given any reason over his departure, he answered: "No, not really. There weren't many reasons. I'm not going to go a lot into the detail of those conversations. "But I was like, 'Okay now it's my time to shine and to prove to everyone what I'm worth. It's the most important moment of my life now.'"
Newsweek
29-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Williams Racing F1 Team Announces New Chief Operations Director Signing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Williams Racing Formula One team has announced the appointment of Axel Kruse as the team's new chief operating director. Kruse replaces Fred Brousseau, who parts ways with the Grove-based team to return to his home in Canada. Brousseau started his journey with Williams in 2023 as COO following a 26-year career with Pratt & Whitney. However, after two years, Williams has had to look for top talent that can aid the team in operating at a "championship level." Kruse's link to Williams dates back to the early 2000s, when he worked for BMW. During this period, the German marque served as an F1 engine supplier for Williams. Kruse then moved to Sauber, where he worked as COO for 15 years. The role transition at Williams will be gradual once Kruse starts on September 1. Team principal James Vowles welcomed Kruse in a statement and thanked Brousseau for his contributions. He said: A Williams Formula One car sits in Downing Street on July 2, 2025 in London, England. This weekend the British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone as the sport celebrates its 75th anniversary... A Williams Formula One car sits in Downing Street on July 2, 2025 in London, England. This weekend the British Grand Prix will be held at Silverstone as the sport celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025. More"I am excited to welcome Axel to Atlassian Williams Racing as we continue to invest in the people, technology and infrastructure needed to achieve our goal of returning to the front of the grid. Axel is the latest top talent to join us from within the F1 paddock and will continue the important work started by Fred to make our operations truly Championship-level. I would like to thank Fred for everything he has done and we all wish him well as he returns home to Canada." During Kruse's time with BMW, Williams finished second in the Constructors' Championship for two years. Addressing the "unfinished business," Kruse added: "I am thrilled to be joining Atlassian Williams Racing and can't wait to get started. Williams is an iconic Formula 1 team with huge ambition and momentum, and I look forward to working with everyone at Grove to deliver success on track. As a young engineer I saw first hand the professionalism and passion at the team as we finished second in the Constructors' Championship – there is unfinished business, and the target must be to finish first." Feeling proud of what the team had achieved, Brousseau said: "Having actively embarked on our transformation journey over the past two years, we're now starting to see clear signs of progress — both from a business results and track performance perspective. With this sustainable positive momentum now in place throughout the organisation, the time feels right for me to return home and begin the next chapter of my journey. "I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together and, above all, grateful for the passion and dedication of the people — they are the true heart of Williams. Being welcomed into this team and the world of Formula 1 has been a genuine privilege. I'll continue cheering proudly from afar as Williams pushes forward on its path back to the front of the grid."
Newsweek
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Alex Albon Reveals When Williams Will Be Winning Again
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Williams driver Alex Albon predicts when the team should end up fighting for race wins — a goal that is well within reach, according to the Thai-British driver. Since the arrival of team principal James Vowles, Williams has faced higher expectations and a raised profile. Vowles has bestowed belief in the team again — pushing the team to keep building and improving with the hope of becoming a top team. The Grove-based racing team went through years at the bottom of the table. They were a backmarker team that felt lucky to score a point during a race. Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams looks on prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams looks on prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, the team is a regular point-scoring team and features a strong driver lineup of Albon and Carlos Sainz. Vowels' transformation of Williams is inspiring Albon to dream big for the future. "We are a very different team to a top team at the moment," Albon told the BBC. "We're still on a journey to get there, and we talk very openly about the journey and our weaknesses as a team. "I don't think we are, in all areas, at the maximum of our potential, and that's regarding the car performance. That's everything that goes on behind the scenes, the performance, the engineering. "I don't think next year we're going to be in a position to fight for wins, and I think it will be very rare to get a chance at podiums, but that's my mindset, that's our mindset. "2027 will be an interesting year, and then realistically, I know this sounds really far away, but 2028 is kind of where I expect us to be, up at the front end. I think that's realistic." Williams hopes to make a significant step in 2026 when the new engine regulations are introduced. Mercedes power units power the British team — giving the team hope for the coming seasons. Mercedes is known for producing amazing engines when a new formula is adopted. Williams also brought in massive changes to its technical staff, that are improving the team's aerodynamic capabilities. It has been decades since the team last fought for a world championship, and with Vowles at the helm, Albon believes it is only a matter of time before the team gets back to the top step. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
The FIA Investigated Williams Over F1 Movie Using the Wind Tunnel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The "F1" movie utilized Williams' wind tunnel for the depiction of car development, though the FIA investigated the team to see if there was a performance advantage gained. The movie producers focused on realism throughout the development of the film. It features current drivers, teams, and race tracks, along with approval from movie producer, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Additionally, the producers asked the Williams team for permission to use its facilities, a move to replicate a key part of car development for the movie. "They approached us, because they could have done a [film] set from what I understood, but actually wanted to replicate or be in exactly the environment," team principal James Vowles told the Times. James Vowles and Rachel Rolph attend the European Premiere of F1 ® The Movie at Cineworld, Leicester Square on June 23, 2025 in London, England. James Vowles and Rachel Rolph attend the European Premiere of F1 ® The Movie at Cineworld, Leicester Square on June 23, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images The Grove-based racing team accepted the request, opting to lend its tunnel for the movie's production. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive F1 and the FIA established strict rules about wind tunnel usage and car development, which prompted an investigation to see if the team gained any more knowledge from having the movie's racing car tested in the tunnel. The FIA found Williams did not gain an advantage from the car being tested since it was very different from the current-day F1 car. The fictional F1 team in the movie is called APXGP, and the car is a modified Formula 2 car. The FIA determined it was different enough from Williams's 2024 title challenger. Vowles reported that there was a disruption that affected the team's workflow. "It's quite difficult for us nowadays to effectively extract everything that we need to [for Williams' work in the wind tunnel], stop our programs and bring them in," he admitted. "There's a limited number of [wind tunnel] 'fan on' time, so you can work around that. It is disruptive, but it was for a really important project." Vowles stated there was a payment made to the team, though it was insignificant. "We didn't make any money out of it. That's not the purpose behind it, and nor would it be," he said. "Taking our own program out of the tunnel for four days is not the best thing that you can be doing in a competitive year." Williams ended up finishing the season in ninth place, netting 17 points during the season. This season, they are up to fifth place almost halfway through the season. Vowles has led the team to 55 points, their highest total in years, and secured a massive contract extension that will allow him to continue to work with the team. More F1 news: Hamilton Heartbroken After Hitting Animal Mid-Race, Damaging Car For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Williams F1 Team Boss Releases Statement After Long Term Contract Extension
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Williams team principal James Vowles has announced a long-term contract extension after joining the team in 2023. Vowles will continue leading the Grove-based outfit in its quest to become a championship-winning team. In a statement posted on X, Vowles acknowledged that though the goal remains distant, he is confident that Williams is heading in the right direction. Having arrived from Mercedes in 2023, a team that had won nine Constructors' Championships, Vowles is aware of the mindset a winning team needs to have. One major step to getting closer to his goal was signing former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz last year, after the Maranello outfit signed Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 campaign. Convincing Sainz to take the wheel of a car that constantly finished outside the points was a big ask. However, it was Vowles' leadership and his vision for the team's future that motivated him to take the leap of faith. Williams Team Principal James Vowles looks on in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 24, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Williams Team Principal James Vowles looks on in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 24, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, his contract extension on X, Vowles wrote: "I am absolutely delighted to have signed a new long-term contract with Atlassian Williams Racing. Remaining at Williams was never in doubt, but I'm really pleased to have formalised it. "This team has felt like home from the moment I walked through the door. It really is a special place and we have an amazing opportunity to get it back where it belongs: building on Sir Frank's legacy and winning World Championships. "We aren't there yet but we are on the right path. We have done some good work fixing the foundations. To be clear, it isn't my work – it is your work. The great privilege of this job is in getting 1,000 people pointing in the right direction to deliver results. We now have the platform to build from. We have the investment we need from Dorilton, a world-class driver line-up in Alex and Carlos, top global brands as partners, and a growing global fanbase. "I'm excited as to what we can achieve together in the years ahead." I am absolutely delighted to have signed a new long-term contract with Atlassian Williams Racing. Remaining at Williams was never in doubt, but I'm really pleased to have formalised it. This team has felt like home from the moment I walked through the door. It really is a… — James Vowles (@JV_F1) June 19, 2025 The chairman of Atlassian Williams Racing and Dorilton Capital, Matthew Savage, said in a statement: "We are thrilled that James has signed a new contract with Atlassian Williams Racing and committed his future to completing the mission that we are on together. He has brought experience, energy and strategic leadership to the task of restoring Williams to the top step of the podium. We aren't there yet but you can sense the momentum we are building at Grove and are excited about what lies ahead."
