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James Vowles

James Vowles explains apology to Toto Wolff

It was a remarkable gesture from James Vowles. Would Toto Wolff have done the same?

James Vowles Toto Wolff
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Williams team principal James Vowles has explained why he felt compelled to apologise to Toto Wolff for the questionable tactics employed during the recent Monaco Grand Prix.

To secure a double points-paying finish, Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon backed up Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

It was a ploy that former Mercedes chief strategist Vowles did not want to carry out, but felt he had no choice after witnessing the Racing Bulls pair of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson do similar, effectively sparking a chain reaction.

Given his relationship with Wolff, Vowles felt compelled to write a text message to Wolff apologising for his actions, but ultimately making clear he was given no choice. Wolff was understanding in his response.

Asked whether Wolff would have messaged him if the roles were reversed, Vowles swerved away from a direct answer initially before explaining the circumstances behind his message.

"Almost, it doesn't matter what he [Wolff] would have done," said Vowles, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365.

"I'm here to win by designing, building and operating a car better than anyone else, and that's not how we score points in Monaco.

"We score points in Monaco by holding up all the cars outside and behind us.

"For that matter, what I said publicly, what the drivers said is, this isn't how we like to go racing.

"We will do it if we have to score points, but if I'm significantly impacting on other people's races, and in this instance, it was Mercedes straight behind us, as a sportsman, I feel it's the correct thing to do.

"It was a short message that said, I'm gonna do it, you're not gonna like it."

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