Why the next big F1 superstar might be American — and how James Vowles sees it happening

Formula 1's recent surge in popularity across the United States has been nothing short of transformative, and Williams team principal James Vowles is among those who’ve witnessed—and embraced—that shift. Once a niche motorsport in America, F1 is now riding a wave of cultural relevance, economic power, and fan engagement that is reshaping the sport’s future.During a candid interview with the Wall Street Journal, James Vowles reflected on just how far F1 has come stateside.“Yeah, it is hugely significant. I mean, what I always compare it to is where we were 10 years ago, where F1 wasn't even really known as a sport or a brand properly within the U.S.,” he noted. The contrast is now striking. Formula 1 has become the fastest-growing market for the sport, with American sponsors making up a sizable chunk of the commercial ecosystem. “A quarter of all of our partner-sponsors that are with the teams are American,” he said, offering a powerful insight into how lucrative and vital the U.S. audience has become.This transformation hasn’t just touched the business side. It’s reshaping operations, strategy, and even team infrastructure. For Williams, whose parent company Dorilton Capital is based in the United States, the connection runs deep. “We have a U.S. office. America is a core part of what we are doing as a sport,” Vowles emphasized. The long-term outlook? Even more integration between the U.S. market and the global racing scene. “What I'm really proud of is how that's migrated across the last 10 years and, more importantly, probably the direction of travel over the next 10 years as well,” he added.Yet, despite the rapid growth and investment in the American market, one thing is noticeably missing—a competitive American driver on the F1 grid. The conversation often circles around the elusive “American F1 star,” but Vowles made it clear that developing such talent is a marathon, not a sprint.“I mean, this would probably shock a few people, but I've signed a driver that I think has huge potential. But he's 10, 11 now. And he wins everything that he can win in karting,” Vowles revealed. His comments reflect a deeper reality: success in Formula 1 is a decade-long commitment that starts in early childhood. “Our Academy, pretty much, you are looking to sign up the individuals, they start a professional career from age eight.”One such talent is Lucas Palacio, a young American driver being groomed for F1 greatness. His family has already moved to Europe to ensure he gets the right training environment. “He will have a fantastic career, but he's seven years away from getting into the sport,” Vowles said, highlighting the long developmental road ahead. But that hasn’t deterred Williams. “We are investing in American talent at that age and properly investing... and we're looking for more. That's the right way to bring star talent through into the sport.”When asked about current American representation, Vowles was frank about Logan Sargeant’s struggles. “Logan was, as you saw, he was able at times to be competitive, but on the most part wasn't really working on the world stage at the level we needed him to be.”Ultimately, the road to America’s next F1 icon won’t be paved by nationality alone. “What you need is, to your point, not just the passport, but you need to be an absolute star talent, able to win that goes with it.”As the U.S. cements itself as a key player in F1’s commercial and cultural landscape, the pursuit of American driving excellence continues—with the next breakthrough perhaps already sitting in a go-kart.Also Read: Is Red Bull hiding something? McLaren’s FIA complaints fuel growing paddock suspicions