(Motorsport-Total.com) – James Vowles is unconcerned that his drivers might leave the team if Williams does not achieve the hoped-for progress. “Talk to Alex, talk to Carlos. They want to be part of this journey, and that is exactly why they are with the Williams Formula 1 team,” explains the Williams team principal. “That means this team has to show why Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz are right.”
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The previously mentioned driver changes in Formula 1 led Williams to focus on the constructors’ championship for the 2025 season. However, with the heavily overweight FW48, the team initially fell behind after Formula 1 switched to new technical regulations.
Progress despite difficult start to the season
Vowles points out that the team has made progress not only in personnel and infrastructure but also in internal processes. The Brit emphasizes that the project is on the right track.
“First of all, it is really important to understand that my board supports me and the drivers as well,” he says. “The benchmark is not Williams of the past. The benchmark is not the Williams of recent years or the difficult situation we had to come out of.”
“I want to show that we have the ability to quickly get back to the front of the field. But first, we have to lay the foundations. It is important that the systems and structures we have built, in my view, continue to work well.”
Drivers stand behind the long-term project
“The same applies to the drivers. The drivers are here because they understand that it is a long-term project. They see the problems we have, they also see the difficulties that arise. I think that is the crucial element.”
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During the current season, Vowles made several changes to improve the Grove-based racing team. Among other things, Williams hired top engineers from other teams such as Mercedes, McLaren, or Alpine.
Williams recognizes its own gap to top teams
The Williams design for 2026
“After the difficulties in winter, it quickly became clear to us that we were not yet at the level we actually wanted to reach,” explains Vowles. “I think the team has realized that compared to the best teams, we still have deficits in many areas.”
Vowles continues: “It is also important that we now have people in the team who understand where we currently stand. They have a plan and concrete measures to improve the situation and make us stronger.”
Williams continues to invest in youth development
As an Academy driver, Williams meanwhile relies on young talents such as Formula 2 driver Luke Browning. Vowles also confirmed that Williams has spoken with former Formula 2 driver Laurens van Hoepen, who recently tested for the team for the first time during the Formula 1 weekend in Montreal. However, Vowles did not want to specifically answer whether the Dutchman is a candidate for a place in the youth academy.
“If possible, Williams wants to work with drivers whom we can develop from the very bottom up to Formula 1. That is our goal, and that is where we invest our resources,” he says. Vowles adds that they hope to bring drivers from their own ranks into Formula 1 again in the coming years: “We are academically well positioned. You can see that we have talents from the lower levels all the way to the top.”
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