Alex Albon believes James Vowles can bring Williams back to the front of the grid

In the middle of a season marked by numerous issues with the car, Alex Albon is convinced that James Vowles, the team principal at Williams, will guide them to the top positions in the standings. Even though the difficulties still seem to be present, Williams has made progress at the start of the season.

A team with a history that nobody forgets.

Once dominant in Formula 1, the Williams team has experienced a decline in its performance over the past decade. Where it used to excel in the 90s, the team has struggled to maintain its position. Now, it finds itself at the bottom of the grid. As the summer break comes to an end, Williams sits in ninth place in the constructors’ championship ahead of Sauber, who has yet to score any points. With only a four-point lead, everything can still change in this end of the season.

James Vowles joined the team in 2023 to take over the leadership of the team. As Williams was going through a restructuring period, the arrival of 300 new staff members showed the commitment of the Briton to the firm. However, so far, the gamble has not paid off. If last year, Williams managed to score a few more points, this year has not highlighted the performance of the car. Especially since Alex Albon had commented on the diminished performance of the car due to its weight.

Following the disappointments the team has endured, fans have gradually begun to lose hope in the stable. Once at the forefront, it now finds itself relegated to second-to-last place. As various controversies ensue, Alexander Albon wished to show his support for James Vowles. According to him, Williams is on the right track with the new team principal. “James involved me in the project. He is very straightforward. He doesn’t tell you that things are better than they actually are, and I appreciate that. When something doesn’t go as planned, he describes the areas to improve and asks if I can help. I believe he is the right man for the job, and I think we have the right people,” the driver told Autosport.”

A hard reality to accept

Despite some positive signs, Alexander Albon remains realistic about the team’s prospects. With changes coming for 2026, particularly in the aerodynamic regulations, Williams will have to start from scratch. While the team has managed to improve the car so far, a regression will occur. The driver acknowledges that 2026 is likely to be another difficult year for the team. Progression could, however, arrive as soon as 2027. “To be completely honest, I don’t see us in a position to fight for wins and titles for some time,” admitted Alex Albon. “But progressing towards podiums is a step in the right direction. Winning in 2027 would be much more realistic.”

For the time being, Williams is focusing on the team’s long-term goals. This involves partly recruitment and improving team cohesion. This situation was applauded by the Thai. « We have big investments and we are recruiting actively. Over the past years, especially when seeing the growth we have had – despite the more difficult times currently – the energy and motivation within the team are really pleasant to experience », he declared.

If Williams is still facing its challenges, James Vowles seems determined to put the team back on track. And with the arrival of a new driver, this is an opportunity for the team to get back into the Top 10. Nevertheless, if the car is still lacking in 2024, the team principal can count on the support of his driver to move forward.