Williams faces a complicated start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the FW48 showing little competitiveness in the first races. The car’s excessive weight is pointed out as the main factor limiting the team’s performance, which scored only two points this year after Carlos Sainz’s ninth place at the Chinese GP.
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The unexpected break in the April calendar, which arose after the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, is being seen internally as an opportunity for reorganization and advancement in car development. The team principal, James Vowles, commented on the moment in a LinkedIn post: “The start of the season was not what we wanted.”
He also highlighted the importance of reaction in the face of difficulties: “One of the things this has shown us is that how a team responds to challenges says more about it than how it deals with victories, podiums, and the ascent to the top.”
Vowles also reinforced the team’s internal values: “At Atlassian Williams F1 Team, we talk about accountability and resilience every day – if you walk through our factory or the pit area, you will see these words on the walls. This break is the moment when these values need to be put into practice. In recent weeks, we have come together as a team to analyze data, accelerate research and simulations, and refine our approach for the rest of the season,” Vowles stated.
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He added that work remains intense in different areas: “Our drivers are back in the simulator, and the team is working on pit stop practice. On the development side, we are pushing hard on all elements, especially the car’s weight.”
For the next stage, the director sees the Miami race as an important test of the team’s progress: “Every hour of this period has a purpose. Miami is the opportunity to show our next step forward. “We know we won’t be the final product – but we are looking forward to progressing and getting back on track.”
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