Williams has become the target of criticism for its season far below expectations in Formula 1 in 2026. Journalist Will Buxton stated that the team created high expectations and failed to deliver on what it had promised.
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The commentator also questioned Carlos Sainz’s decision to choose Williams over Audi. For Buxton, the two projects have taken very different approaches since the start of the current season.
Williams started 2026 at a disadvantage after losing private tests in Barcelona and arriving at the preseason in Bahrain with several problems. The car also faced difficulties related to excess weight, while the results were far below the expectations previously created.
After twelve rounds, the team is only in ninth place in the constructors’ championship, with eleven points scored. Sainz is 16th in the drivers’ championship, with six points, while Alexander Albon is 17th, with five, and the Dutch GP still ended with an incident between the two, which led to Albon’s retirement and a ten-second penalty for Sainz.
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On the Up To Speed podcast, Buxton compared Williams’ stance with Audi’s, which debuted in 2026 as a factory team after taking over Sauber’s operation: “I think they have been quite discreet, and in a way, promised less and delivered more,” he said about Audi.
Regarding Williams, the commentator pointed out a series of ambitious statements that were not followed by results: “Williams keeps making big statements, saying it will take these steps, that it wants to compete for this or that, and then disappoints. So, it promises too much and delivers little,” he added.
Buxton also recalled that Sainz had the possibility of going to Audi after losing his seat at Ferrari to Lewis Hamilton, but chose Williams: “I found it very interesting that he turned down a seat at a factory team for the dream that is Williams, and obviously, James Vowles (Williams’ boss) sold him a bright dream,” he concluded.
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