Vowles 'didn't sleep for days' developing new Williams car

Williams Team Principal James Vowles conceded that he "didn't sleep for days" while the team developed their 2024 Formula 1 season.

The team lifted the covers of the FW46 at a car launch in New York last week, showcasing their modern take on a classic livery. The actual car is set to be unveiled at pre-season testing, which starts in Bahrain on 21st February.

Vowles admitted that had anxiety during the weeks developing the car, due to the expectations the team has set to improve on its seventh place in the Constructors' Championship in 2024.

“In terms of me personally, perhaps I didn’t recognise to an extent the weight that applies to your shoulders, but we pushed things right to the limit and very late there is no doubt about it," Vowles told media, including RacingNews365.

“There were times where I don’t mind admitting I wasn’t sleeping for probably days at a time, because the weight of a 1,000 people falls on your shoulders.

"I’m confident that what we are doing is right for the future and that confidence is what allows me to get all of the team together and talk it through, which is what we’ve done over the last few weeks, and then come together as a group and end up with the car that has fired up, which is a momentous occasion.”

Williams must "push boundaries"

Vowles believes that Williams must "push the boundaries" as they look to get back to winning ways, having not been in contention since the 2014 season at the start of the hybrid era.

"I made it clear to the organisation that the weight of failure rests on my shoulders, and don't want anyone else to be restrained by the fear of failure, or anyone to be restrained by the fear of pushing outside the boundaries of what they're comfortable with, " said Vowles.

"Now is the time, and you have my support, to break from what you know and go back to the fundamentals and start again.

"So the moving forwards is not being satisfied with being eighth or seventh. I'll only be satisfied when we're fighting for World Championships and winning championships."

Williams enters its fifth season under ownership of US investment company Dorilton Capital, after legendary team owner Sir Frank Williams sold the team in 2021.