(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Canadian Grand Prix left mixed feelings at Williams. Although Carlos Sainz once again scored points for the traditional Grove team with ninth place, internally they are convinced that much more would have been possible. After all, the Spaniard started on intermediates, like the McLarens, for example.
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The performance of the FW48 gave hope again in Montreal. After the already strong appearance in Miami, Williams also confirmed its recently improved form at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – even if the final result only partially reflected this according to team principal James Vowles.
“It’s great to see that we added performance successfully in Miami and Canada,” explains Vowles in a video message on the official Williams channels.
The Brit emphasizes that despite the still difficult overall situation, Williams can now regularly fight for points again. “We are far from where we want to be,” says Vowles. “But at least now we are able to seize such opportunities and take points.”
Williams struggles with strategy and Albon retirement
Nevertheless, noticeable disappointment remained after the race. Especially with Carlos Sainz, the team believes they did not act optimally strategically. The Spaniard lost valuable positions during the race and had to settle for ninth place in the end – although internally more potential was apparently seen.
“We didn’t get everything right today,” Vowles openly admits with regard to the starting tire. “With Carlos, there are definitely decisions we would have made differently in hindsight.”
The Sunday was even more bitter for Alex Albon. The Thai driver was on course for points for a long time before a collision with McLaren driver Oscar Piastri took him out of the race. For Vowles, it is clear that Albon could have also achieved a strong result without the incident.
“Alex absolutely had a car for points,” explains the Williams team principal. “He was in a good position before he was taken out of the race through no fault of his own.” Precisely for this reason, the internal assessment of the weekend is significantly more positive than the pure result suggests.
Vowles sees clear progress in the midfield
Currently, the development curve of the car is particularly important for Williams. After a difficult start to the season, the FW48 now seems to be becoming significantly more competitive. “The most important thing for me is that we now also show this progress compared to the rest of the field,” says Vowles.
Although Williams is still clearly behind Alpine and also behind the Racing Bulls in the constructors’ standings, optimism is growing internally. “It was not the start to the season we wanted,” admits Vowles. “We still have a big points deficit to Alpine and in this situation also to VCARB.”
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Nevertheless, it is clearly recognizable that Williams has currently taken the right path. “We are moving forward,” the team principal emphasizes repeatedly.
Above all, the recent updates finally seem to deliver the desired effect. While Williams often had difficulties bringing new parts successfully to the car in recent years, the current development direction apparently works significantly better.
Monaco should bring the next step
Williams already expects the next small performance increase for the next race in Monaco. “I believe the car will take another small step there,” says Vowles.
Above all, the characteristics of the street circuit could suit the FW48. “It should again be a track where we can seize our chance and fight for the top 10,” he explains.
Unlike in Montreal, however, Monaco will depend even more on qualifying performance. “It will be much more of a qualifying race than the last two events,” says Vowles. Williams is particularly optimistic about the long-term development plan.
Williams plans big comeback
According to Vowles, the team has an extensive update program ahead in the coming months. Over the next six months, new parts are to be regularly added to the car.
“We have a strong development phase ahead of us,” explains the Brit. “Almost at every race weekend, we will bring new performance to the car.” The big goal remains clear: Williams wants to fight its way back into the points zone permanently.
“We have to continue developing in this direction and work our way back step by step into a regular points position,” says Vowles. Even though the Canadian Grand Prix did not go perfectly in sporting terms, Williams currently sees above all one thing: progress.
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