Williams slams ‘nasty’ claim despite best F1 start in nine years

Williams is making headlines in Formula 1 after achieving its best start to a season in nine years. The team sits fifth in the constructors’ standings after nine races in 2025, collecting 54 points so far.

This places Williams ahead of several top contenders and marks its strongest performance since 2016, a season when the team finished with Valtteri Bottas in eighth among the drivers. Alex Albon has been central to this resurgence, currently holding eighth in the drivers’ championship with 42 points, just six points behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli at this stage of the season.

Team Principal James Vowles credits both the technical progress and the performance of his drivers for the turnaround. Vowles shared that the FW47 car has shown improvement, especially with mechanical upgrades over its predecessor.

“I’m proud of the progress the team is making, and obviously, having two world-class drivers helps a lot,” he said when speaking to media. The team has managed small but significant steps in car development, signaling a positive shift for the historic British squad.

Even with this impressive run, Vowles identified some “nasty elements” that still affect the car’s performance, particularly in high-speed corners. He cited the recent Spanish Grand Prix as proof that work remains to iron out these lingering issues.

Williams struggled for pace during that weekend, underlining the challenges that still need to be addressed. The team hasn’t seen a driver finish in the top 10 in the points since 2016, highlighting the progress made this year and the gap they still want to close.

Development for the rest of the current season remains important, but Williams is already looking ahead. Vowles confirmed that work on the 2026 car started early, with the new car already in the wind tunnel.

The team is treating the next design phase as a “clean sheet of paper.” This gives Williams a chance to reset and change aspects of their approach, avoiding past mistakes. The focus on 2026 means that while 2025 could see improvements, the real ambition lies two years ahead.

Despite the tough competition from teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull, Williams’ solid mid-season tally is earning attention. Bottas scored 84 points for the team in 2016, and Albon’s current campaign has delivered half that mark with more than half the season left.

With Sainz and Albon teaming up, Williams appears poised to fight for even more points this year. The Formula 1 calendar is packed, with upcoming races at venues like the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on June 15, followed by stops in Austria and at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.

Williams’ current form means fans will be watching closely to see if the team can keep this momentum or resolve those remaining challenges and climb higher in the standings. As the season continues, Williams is determined to maintain this new level of competitiveness.

The progress so far has given their drivers the belief to push harder, and the team’s focus on both the present and future bodes well for the next chapters in their Formula 1 story.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.