Williams does not expect an immediate turnaround in the 2026 Formula 1 season, even with the update package planned for the Azerbaijan GP. Alex Albon admitted that the planned changes are unlikely to solve the car’s main problems this year.
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The Thai-British driver stated that the team’s focus is already on ensuring a more competitive project in 2027. Although he recognizes the intense work done at the factory to fix the FW48’s limitations, he believes the results will not appear in the short term.
According to Albon, Williams clearly understands the car’s deficiencies and is working to eliminate problems he classified as part of the project’s DNA: “The work being done at the factory is the biggest effort I have ever seen from the team to combat these problems. I think we are doing exactly the right things to get back on track,” he said.
Despite this, the driver does not believe the package planned for Baku represents a definitive solution: “Will this be solved in Baku? I doubt it. Much of this package was planned a long time ago. Unfortunately, much of our effort now is focused on next year’s car, ensuring it does not have these characteristics. It’s frustrating,” he said.
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This season has been complicated for Williams, with the introduction of the new regulations. The team is only in ninth place in the championship after eleven rounds, with eleven points scored and no points since the Monaco GP in June. At the Hungarian GP, Carlos Sainz and Albon were eliminated in Q1 and finished only 17th and 18th, while Audi and Aston Martin gained ground after introducing updates.
Albon also revealed that the car’s limitations have even prevented him from fully exploring his potential: “Honestly, it’s frustrating because I can’t even really drive. The team can’t get the best out of me because I have to drive well below the limit. There were only about six laps in the race where the wind stabilized and I could find a rhythm. Then everything changed again. It feels like you are making mistakes, but you’re not. You brake at the same points, do the same things, but consistency is missing. It was a battle today,” he added.
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