Williams is heading in the right direction
With just four points scored, the Grove team's season was less convincing than that of 2023, the fault of a car that was far too heavy at the start of the season, making the single-seater difficult to drive. A situation that doesn't worry driver Alex Albon, who believes the team is laying the foundations for a return to the top.
Since the introduction of the new regulations in 2022, the Williams team has seen its performances fluctuate significantly. After a 2022 season marked by a last-place finish in the championship with only 8 points, the year 2023 brought a glimmer of hope with a noticeable improvement, the team founded by Frank Williams finishing three places higher with 28 points. With this improvement, the team approached the 2024 season with high ambitions, aiming for a stable place in the middle of the pack.
A complicated start to the season
Unfortunately, the hopes of the British team were quickly dashed at the beginning of the season. The car was carrying an extra weight of 20 kilograms compared to the regulatory limit, resulting in a loss of four to five tenths per lap. This overweight issue made the car difficult to drive, relegating the team to the bottom of the standings, fighting to avoid last place among the constructors.
This difficult situation has led some specialists to question the abilities of James Vowles, who took the helm at Williams about 19 months ago. Marc Surer, a former racing driver, expressed doubts about Vowles’ skills, considering him overrated and unable to move the team forward: « Now, the car is too heavy and too slow. I doubt next year will be better for Williams,” the Swiss said on GPblog.
Despite the criticism, Alexander Albon, a driver within the team, has insisted on defending Vowles’ actions and the team’s progress. According to him, the current results do not reflect the team’s true potential, as the main objective was to lay solid foundations for the future. “I am happy that we are laying the foundations. I do not think that without the changes we have made, I could ever see this team emerge from the battle at the back of the grid,” he said.
The Thai driver also highlighted the increasing difficulty of fighting in the middle of the pack, where every mistake comes at a high cost: « This midfield group has taken a huge step forward. We have taken a good step forward, but compared to the others, maybe we are a little behind.
Despite the current difficulties, the former Toro Rosso driver remains optimistic about the future of the British team under the leadership of James Vowles. He expressed his confidence in Vowles’ experience and vision, who played a key role in Mercedes’ past successes. “He doesn’t tell you that things are better than they really are, and I like that. He is the right man for the job and I believe in him.”
The recruitment of Carlos Sainz for 2025 could also mark a turning point for the team from Grove. Although Vowles remains realistic about short-term prospects, he sees 2026 as a transition year, with possible podiums, and 2027 as a year when the team could aim for victories. Winning in 2027 would be much more realistic. We have excellent investment, and we are recruiting very aggressively.
Although the 2024 season has been disappointing so far for Williams, the team seems determined to rebuild deeply to become competitive again in the coming years. The duo of Albon-Sainz and the leadership of James Vowles could be the key elements to bring the British team back to the path of success.
