Williams is getting a completely new car ready as a big move before the British GP.
Williams team boss James Vowles has said they’re making big changes to completely rebuild their car after a tough start to the 2026 season.
After rising through the ranks in 2025 to become the best team outside the top four, Williams has fallen behind in 2026. With just 11 points after a third of the races, only Aston Martin, Audi, and Cadillac are below them in the standings.
Williams is now behind Haas, Red Bull, and Alpine, leaving their star drivers with a car that just can’t keep up. But Vowles says the first of many upgrades is coming at their home race in Silverstone this week, and by Baku, they expect to have almost a completely new car.
So far, only Ferrari has rolled out big changes, as teams adjust to new rules in this post-DRS era. Ferrari’s efforts have even drawn attention from Mercedes’ boss Toto Wolff, who joked they might run out of money after so many upgrades.
Williams is next in line for major improvements, and Vowles promises big steps for their struggling car. He told Sky Germany, “The heat has been a big factor in why we’ve fallen back a bit. We have a medium-sized upgrade for Silverstone in a week, and then small updates for Spa and Budapest.”
He added, “There will be bigger changes, including making the car lighter, for Zandvoort. But the biggest upgrade will come in Baku, where it’ll be almost a new car. That’s what we’re focused on.”
Baku was a highlight for Williams in 2025, where Carlos Sainz earned his second podium with an impressive drive on the tough street circuit. With experienced drivers like Sainz and Alex Albon, Williams will really benefit from having a car that can compete — and one that won’t leave their top driver hoping for changes to the team’s setup.