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Vowles Reveals How Williams’ Baku Upgrade Transforms Performance
Highlights
- Williams introduced a major car upgrade for Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
- Upgrade includes a lighter chassis and revised aerodynamics for Baku.
- Sainz and Albon finished 12th and 13th in first practice.
- Sainz’s brakes caught fire during first practice session.
- Team focuses on long-term development over immediate points this season.
- Williams aims to improve but expects more adjustments after upgrade.
Williams rolls out a major upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, seeking pace after a stuttering 2026 start, with James Vowles cautioning it is progress, not a solution.
The team endures development delays that compromised Barcelona testing and fought excess weight. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon scored 11 early points, but none since Monaco.
Investment centres on a lighter FW48 chassis and Baku-specific aero, intended to unlock near-term gains and inform future designs. It aligns with a broader Williams F1 upgrade roadmap.
Vowles praises the group for delivering a new chassis mid-season, describing the effort as impressive, while accepting the package still leaves targets unmet relative to midfield benchmarks.
In first practice, Sainz and Albon place 12th and 13th, within two tenths of the top 10. Sainz’s session is curtailed by a pit-lane brake fire.
Vowles calls the Baku package “a step in the right direction, but not enough.”
Second practice proves tougher, with 16th and 17th. Sainz says the car edges nearer midfield competitiveness, stressing Baku’s demand for mileage to build confidence and optimise setup.
Limited running increases the need to tune ride height, balance, and aero platform during final practice. Vowles notes early packages rarely land perfectly without iterative refinement amid acknowledged upgrade concerns.
New, lighter FW48 chassis passes strict FIA tests after mid-season development push.
Weight reduction is spread across the car, not isolated to one component. Vowles declines specifics but confirms all changes pass stringent FIA tests after rigorous validation.
Strategic emphasis remains future-facing. Williams does not expect the Baku step alone to yield points, but aims to compound gains through subsequent race-by-race developments.
Williams prioritises long-term gains over immediate points in 2026.
The team seeks clearer reads in the final session and qualifying, building on data gathered across both sessions in Baku’s unique low-drag, heavy-braking demands.
Visual Summary
Williams Shakes Off The Weight 🏋️♂️
Brand new, lighter chassis & aero for Baku.
Progress made, but midfield still out of reach.
Progress made, but midfield still out of reach.
FP1
12th
Sainz
13th
Albon
(Missed top 10 by 0.2s)
FP2
16th
Sainz
17th
Albon
(Back step after 🔥 brake issue)
“A step in the right direction, but not enough.”
— James Vowles, Team Principal
⛰️
Williams is climbing—focus is future progress, not instant glory.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
