Williams sacrifice 2026 season for 2027

Williams have deliberately limited the development of their FW48 during the 2026 season in order to direct a larger part of their budget towards preparations for 2027.

The Grove-based team have scored just 12 points and sit ninth in the Constructors’ Championship, after finishing fifth last season and securing podiums in Baku and Qatar with Carlos Sainz.

Team principal James Vowles admitted that some potential aerodynamic performance was left “in the tunnel” because the priority was to avoid a repeat of last winter’s problems.

The start of the season was particularly difficult for Williams, who missed the first winter test and arrived with a car that was significantly overweight. Vowles described the situation as a “disaster”, but the team have since made progress with the weight and the car now even has ballast.

The chassis introduced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will also be used in 2027, which should significantly reduce the workload at the factory during the winter.

Vowles also pointed to changes to software systems and working processes, as well as the arrival of former McLaren chief operating officer Piers Thynne, who is now responsible for optimisation and planning.

However, the Williams boss warned that the real assessment of the team’s work will only come at the first race of 2027. With Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz both committed to the project for next season, the pressure on Williams to turn the sacrifices made in 2026 into genuine progress will be significant.