Williams acknowledged that the development pace of their 2026 car is below what is necessary to achieve their goals in Formula 1. After a difficult British GP, the team started an internal review to reassess the entire upgrade program before the next round in Belgium.
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The team principal, James Vowles, stated that the updates brought to Silverstone did not deliver the expected performance gain. According to him, the main concern is not only the efficiency of the introduced parts but also the speed at which the team can add performance to the car throughout the season.
“I would say that, at this moment, it is clear that our rate of delivering performance to the car, and this is a bit more complex than it seems, is not at the level necessary for us to move forward on the grid,” Vowles said in the latest episode of The Vowles Verdict.
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In response, Williams started a complete review of the upgrades used since the beginning of the championship. The work will be carried out between the British GP and the Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps and will guide decisions on the next development packages, including the Spa and Budapest rounds, the rest of the season, and even the 2027 project. “The first step is to fully understand not only what we did at Silverstone but everything we have done during the season. Each upgrade brings evidence of what worked and what didn’t,” he explained.
Despite the difficulties, Vowles highlighted that the team’s internal culture is a positive point. “What makes me satisfied is that we have a very strong culture of openness, learning, and quick reaction. For me, that is what defines a team,” he concluded. After nine rounds of the 2026 season, Williams is in eighth place in the constructors’ championship with 11 points.
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