Williams Racing Team Principal James Vowles will participate in next month’s Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi, driving a McLaren GT3 Evo run by Garage 59.
The 46-year-old is no stranger to the British outfit, who are the reigning Pro-Am class winners at the event, having contested the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series for the team alongside Nikolai Kjægaard and Manuel Maldonado, the culmination of steady progress from saloon car racing through to the GT4 and then GT3 ranks.
A planned return to the series the following season failed to materialise, with the Briton’s driving ambitions having to take a backseat as he focused on transforming the fortunes of the nine-time Formula 1 world constructors’ champion.
Following a three-year break, with Williams now very much on the rise, Vowles is taking the opportunity to return to the cockpit the week following the Formula 1 season finale, sharing the McLaren with Alexander West, Marco Pulcini and Mark Sansom.
“The chance to put on a race helmet again is something I relish,” commented Vowles, who has publicly stated his ambition to contest the 24 Hours of Le Mans one day.
“Garage 59 is a team I know well from our time together in 2022, and the Gulf 12 Hours is a fantastic event with a competitive grid. It will be a pleasure to share the car with Alex, Mark and Marco, and to experience racing from the driver’s seat again.”
All of Vowles’ co-drivers are familiar with both the McLaren and Garage 59 team, having raced for them in the International GT Open this year, with Pulcini and Sansom winning the Am class at the Monza 500KM season finale.
In preparation for the Gulf 12 Hours, Vowles has completed a test programme with Garage 59, which commenced with two days of running at the Circuit de Navarra, Spain.
This offered the 46-year-old a chance to experience the upgraded McLaren, which has received an Evo kit since Vowles last raced it, for the first time, and reconnect with the Garage 59 crew.
“We thoroughly enjoyed working with James during the 2022 Asian Le Mans campaign,” said Garage 59 Team Principal Andrew Kirkaldy.
“His approach and professionalism, and of course his knowledge of strategy, made it a very enjoyable collaboration. Bringing him back for the Gulf 12 Hours is something we’re all excited about, and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in Abu Dhabi.”
The 2025 Gulf 12 Hours takes place at the Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi on 14th December 2025.
Images courtesy of Garage 59
