(Motorsport-Total.com) – In recent years, Williams has invested a large part of its resources in the development of the car for the 2026 Formula 1 season. But after the team missed the “shakedown” in Barcelona at the end of January, it was already behind before the tests in Bahrain.
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After the first three race weekends, Williams is in ninth place in the Constructors’ Championship with two points. “The start of the season was not what we wanted,” admits team principal James Vowles in a post on the LinkedIn platform.
“One realization is that the way a team reacts to challenges says more about it than how it handles victories, podiums, and rising to the top,” writes Vowles.
“At Williams, we talk about responsibility and resilience every day – if you walk through our factory or the pit lane, you see these values on the walls. This break is the moment when these values must show themselves in practice,” he emphasizes.
Formula 1 had an unexpected five-week break between the races in Japan and Miami after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled. This time was crucial for struggling teams like Williams and Aston Martin to regroup and reorient themselves.
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“In recent weeks, we have come together as a team, analyzed the data, accelerated research and simulation, and refined our approach for the rest of the season,” Vowles continues.
“Our drivers are back in the simulator, and the crew is working on pit stop training. In development, we are pushing all areas forward, especially the weight of the car. Every hour in this phase has a purpose.”
“Miami is the opportunity to show our next step forward. We know we are not yet a complete package. But we look forward to making progress and getting back on track,” says Vowles.
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The Miami Grand Prix takes place on May 3.