James Vowles announces birth of second child in heartwarming post

Williams team chief James Vowles and his wife Rachel Rolph have welcomed their second child together.

Vowles announced the birth on social media on Thursday, 10 July, confirming that both his partner and the baby were in good health.

"Welcome to the world little one! Rachel and baby are healthy and happy."

The couple already have a 19-month-old daughter named Elodie. 

Vowles recently opened up on his relationship with his wife during an interview with The Telegraph. 

“I was like, ‘I’ve got to warn you, my work is my life, and I work really long hours,'" he explained about a conversation that happened on their first date.

"And she was like, ‘No, I work really long hours.’ And I was like ‘No, no, no. I work really long hours.’ We actually went through it. And to be fair, Formula 1 still trumps it, but only just.

James Vowles, Williams

Photo by: Peter Fox / Getty Images

“My wife is unbelievable. She’s one of the best surgeons in the UK. A double-first from Oxford who then worked in A&E in Whitechapel, then trained in plastics and breast cancer. So quite a unique individual in that she can diagnose breast cancer and then do the mastectomy and a rebuild afterwards.

“She’s now doing a PhD on the use of mesh in the rebuild process post-mastectomy. Honestly, it’s life-changing stuff. I just work in F1. She’s the clever one.”

It was almost a close call for the 46-year-old as the birth of their second child was expected to take place over the British Grand Prix weekend. However, he had plans in place to be ready to leave the Silverstone circuit.

“As you can imagine with me, I have contingencies. I’ve got plans upon plans upon plans… so we are sorted, including helicopters on standby and all sorts!”

The British Grand Prix saw Williams take home four points after Alex Albon crossed the line in eighth position. His team-mate Carlos Sainz finished in 12th. 

The Grove outfit currently sits fifth in the constructors' standings with 59 points, followed by Sauber in sixth with 41 points after Nico Hulkenberg's monumental drive from 19th on the grid to third at Silverstone.