All articles tagged with #williams
Pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli leads five takeaways from Suzuka: a 2026 energy-recovery cap revived qualifying, Williams regressed, Red Bull now midfield, rookie Arvid Lindblad impressing by reaching Q3, and Antonelli emerging as a real threat to Mercedes while Verstappen had a rare Q2 exit.
Williams’ 2026 season has been hampered by more than just a heavy FW48. Alex Albon says the team cannot hide behind weight, as a lack of downforce and persistent balance issues leave Williams well off the midfield, with China showing the car’s troubles. The team plans overnight setup work and a likely pitlane start to improve driveability, while aiming to out-develop rivals and claw back ground.
Williams led the Bahrain pre-season test with the most laps and solid reliability, while Mercedes and Red Bull posted competitive pace and endurance; Ferrari also posted solid mileage, and Aston Martin struggled with lower mileage and driveability, with the piece noting ongoing questions around the new 2026 engine regulations.
Williams chief James Vowles explained that the team delayed key design decisions to squeeze performance for 2026, which led to missing Barcelona’s private test. The gamble aims to keep upgrades current while avoiding an outdated car, but it means drivers lose some early-track feedback and correlation data. Williams is mitigating with Mercedes power-unit data, VVT mileage, and driver-in-the-loop simulators, and expects Bahrain testing to bridge the gap as they pursue the pecking order ahead of the season.
Alex Albon addressed Williams’ decision to skip the private Barcelona test because of delays to the FW48, with the team saying it will run a series of tests (including a VTT programme) in the coming weeks to prepare for Bahrain and the season start in Melbourne, while focusing on laying the foundations for the 2026 car.
Williams F1 will skip the Barcelona pre-season shakedown due to delays in the FW48, opting for a Virtual Test Track programme and other testing to prepare for Bahrain and the season-opening race in Melbourne. Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz won’t drive in Barcelona, with the next pre-season test scheduled in Bahrain on 11-13 February.
Williams is set to miss the first 2026 F1 pre-season test in Barcelona after reportedly struggling to pass FIA crash tests, leaving Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz with limited track time on the FW48 ahead of the season opener.
Williams had a positive 2025 F1 season, finishing fifth in the Teams' Championship with notable moments including Carlos Sainz's two podiums and strong performances in the second half. Sainz's best moments included his first podium with Williams in Azerbaijan and a second in Qatar, while Albon led in qualifying early on. The team faced challenges like disqualifications and a poor Abu Dhabi finish but remains optimistic for 2026, aiming to build on their progress and avoid complacency.
The article provides a detailed assessment of several Formula 1 teams' performances in 2025, highlighting Mercedes's improvement to second place, Red Bull's strong late-season surge, and Williams's consistent performance with notable drivers, while also discussing the challenges faced by Racing Bulls and Sauber.
Both Williams drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, were disqualified from the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying due to their rear wings exceeding the maximum allowed gap during post-qualifying checks, violating FIA technical regulations. Williams acknowledged the issue and expressed disappointment, vowing to review their processes to prevent future incidents.
Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz were disqualified from the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying for a DRS technical infringement involving the rear wing, but will start from the back of the grid. The team accepted the FIA's measurement results and plans to review its procedures to prevent future issues.
Carlos Sainz achieved his first podium with Williams at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, ending a tough season and expressing immense happiness and pride in overcoming challenges and demonstrating the team's progress.
Carlos Sainz, starting second after a chaotic qualifying session at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, aims to secure his first podium for Williams, highlighting his speed and consistency despite recent bad luck, and hopes to improve his standing in the championship.
Carlos Sainz qualified second for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, expressing satisfaction with his performance despite missing out on pole to Max Verstappen in a dramatic qualifying session. Sainz aims for a podium finish, while Williams' Alex Albon will start from the back after a crash in Q1. Sainz remains optimistic about the race despite a challenging season.
Carlos Sainz achieved his best qualifying result for Williams with a second-place grid start at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, demonstrating his qualifying strength despite a challenging season, and aims for a podium finish in the race.