Valtteri Bottas
“Valtteri, it’s James” has been a popular meme material in the F1 circle for years now – do you know where this phrase originated?
The origin of the famous “Valtteri, it’s James” phrase can be traced back to the 2018 Grand Prix. Back in the day, Valtteri Bottas and James Vowles were a part of the same team – Mercedes. Since its first use by Vowles on team radio, the phrase has become incredibly popular among fans on social media and has been a popular template for memes over the years.
During the 2018, Russian Grand Prix, Vowles began a team radio message with the phrase: “Valtteri, it’s James.” The purpose of the message was to instruct Bottas to move aside and allow his team-mate Lewis Hamilton through for a race win that would improve the British driver’s chances of clinching the World Championship title after an intense season-long battle against Sebastian Vettel. Bottas played his part of being a good team-mate and obeyed Vowles’ orders. Unfortunately for him though, Bottas had to finish the season without a single race win.
Williams recently appointed Mercedes strategy chief James Vowles as the new Team Principal ahead of the 2023 season. Vowles will replace Jost Capito, who stepped down at the end of last season. Vowles has had an immensely successful tenure with Mercedes since joining them in 2010, winning eight constructors’ titles with the team.
Vowles is understandably elated after receiving this opportunity. “I cannot wait to start with Williams Racing. It’s an honour to join a team with such an incredibly rich heritage. The team is an icon of our sport, one I greatly respect, and I am very much looking forward to the challenge.” Vowles will officially take over the charge at Williams on February 20 while the new season is scheduled to begin on March 5.
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