Williams F1 Boss James Vowles to Make Racing Return at Gulf 12 Hours

James Vowles, the Team Principal for Williams Racing in Formula 1, is set to return to endurance racing, competing in the 2025 Gulf 12 Hours with Garage 59 on December 14th. This marks his first competitive race since 2022, when he participated in the Asian Le Mans Series.

Why it matters:

• Vowles' return to the driver's seat provides a rare glimpse into the competitive spirit of an F1 team principal, offering a unique perspective beyond his strategic role in Formula 1.
• It highlights the enduring passion for racing among even the most senior figures in motorsport, reinforcing the close-knit community aspect of the sport.
• His participation in a high-profile endurance event like the Gulf 12 Hours adds a personal dimension to his public persona as a team leader, potentially inspiring others within the sport.

The Details:

• Vowles, 46, will pilot the McLaren 720S GT3 Evo, the same model he last raced in 2022 with Garage 59 in the Asian Le Mans Series.
• The Gulf 12 Hours race will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, just one week after the 2025 F1 season concludes at the very same venue.
• He will be joined by a strong lineup of co-drivers: Alexander West, the 2024 Pro-Am winner; Marco Pulcini, a two-time International GT Open Pro-Am champion; and Mark Sansom, the 2025 Am runner-up in the same championship.
• Vowles expressed his excitement, stating, “The chance to put on a race helmet again is something I relish. Garage 59 is a team I know well from our time together in 2022. The Gulf 12 Hours is a fantastic event with a competitive grid.”
• Before joining Williams in 2023, Vowles served as the strategy director for Mercedes F1 when he last raced competitively in 2022. His racing background also includes saloon racing in the UK in 2015 and recent show runs, such as attempting the hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a 1992 F1 world-championship-winning Williams.

Between the lines:

• Garage 59 team boss Andrew Kirkaldy emphasized Vowles' professionalism and strategic expertise during their previous collaboration in 2022, highlighting how his F1 background could significantly benefit their endurance racing efforts.
• Garage 59, founded in 2016, specializes in running McLaren, Ferrari, or Aston Martin GT cars and has competed in various championships, including GT World Challenge Europe, Intercontinental GT Challenge, ALMS, and British GT.
• The team is also set to expand its presence significantly in 2026, with plans to enter both GT World Challenge and the prestigious World Endurance Championship.

What's next:

• Vowles' return to the track is highly anticipated, offering an opportunity to see how his F1 strategic prowess translates back into competitive driving.
• His participation could also draw more attention to the Gulf 12 Hours event and the broader endurance racing scene, given his prominent position in Formula 1.