Former Mercedes Strategist James Vowles Picks Lewis Hamilton as Most Talented F1 Driver

In an interview on the High Performance podcast, former Mercedes strategist turned Williams team principal, James Vowles, declared Lewis Hamilton as the most naturally talented driver he has ever worked with. Vowles, who entered the world of Formula 1 in 2001 during Michael Schumacher‘s dominant era, had the privilege of working with five different world champions over the years, including Schumacher himself and Hamilton.

Vowles was impressed by Hamilton’s ability to push himself to beat his teammate, emphasizing that in Formula 1, the first battle is to outperform your teammate. However, he also acknowledged that teamwork and collaboration are crucial for overall success. Hamilton joined Mercedes with a winning mentality, aiming to triumph in every race at all costs. But over time, he has learned the importance of thinking strategically and working with the team even on days when victory seems unlikely.

After leaving Mercedes, Vowles took on the role of team principal at Williams. His leadership style has been well received, and the team showed improvement by finishing in seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship. Meanwhile, Hamilton endured a winless streak in 2023 due to Mercedes’ struggle to match the performance of back-to-back champions Red Bull. Despite this, Hamilton demonstrated his skill by achieving six podium finishes and securing third place in the Drivers’ Championship.