F1 team boss to race at “fantastic” Gulf 12 Hours

James Vowles, the team principal of Atlassian Williams Racing in Formula 1, will join Garage 59 to race a McLaren GT3 EVO in the Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit on 14 December.

Vowles will race alongside last year’s Pro-Am winner Alexander West, as well as Mark Sansom and Marco Pulcini, who raced together for Garage 59 in International GT Open.

“The chance to put on a race helmet again is something I relish,” said Vowles. “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.”

Vowles drove for Garage 59 during the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series. He prepared for the Gulf 12 Hours by testing with the team during the 2025 season.

“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.”