Vitaly Petrov is baffled that Toto Wolff let key engineer James Vowles stroll out of Mercedes forward of the brand new season. The ex-Renault F1 star warned he would “by no means” have let Vowles go away the producer if he was in cost.
The Russian additionally warned the Silver Arrows’ season might stability on how they exchange Vowles who has been an important member of their eight Constructors’ Championship victories. He defined to Speedweek: “Now every part will rely upon how Mercedes solves the issues with the automobile and the way they exchange such a person.
“Truthfully, I’d by no means have let him go.” Vowles leaves his position as technique director on the German marque to develop into crew principal at Williams.
Vowles will pair up with the British producer in February forward of the beginning of pre-season testing. It comes after Williams parted methods with ex-boss Jost Capito on the finish of final season.
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Crimson Bull boss Helmut Marko has since claimed the temper at Mercedes is “tense” after Vowles’ exit. Wolff praised Vowles for enjoying an “integral half” within the crew’s success and admitted he was unhappy to say goodbye.
The Mercedes crew principal has since admitted Vowles’ exit got here as a “shock” however mentioned he did have suspicions that the 43-year-old was after a promotion. He advised Speedweek: “It got here as a shock
“Having mentioned that he’s somebody who at all times had this form of objective in thoughts, and right here (at Mercedes) such a promotion is at present blocked by me. James is a really clever and rational participant, so we let him out of the contract. It is good for System One as a complete if a person like that makes choices at Williams.”