Mid-season review: Williams, hope keeps the team going

Williams can have a good break with the ten points scored by its two drivers at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Yet, before the start of this superb season, it was ambitious, even inconceivable, to see the team achieve good results. For three years, the team has been relegated to the back of the grid and has been trying to fight not to finish last in the constructors’ standings. The goal was not met in 2020, finishing with zero points behind Alfa Romeo and Haas. A worrying observation that did not bode well for the upcoming season.

The Williams family no longer runs the eponymous team since Monza last year. At the dawn of this season, Jost Capito, the new boss, already displayed long-term ambitions.

(Translated) We need to put the team back in the right direction and seize all the opportunities that may arise. Our goals are long-term with the aim of bringing Williams back among the winners.

The mission looks long given the significant difference between the teams at the top and the bottom of the standings. With Nicholas Latifi and George Russell and the few improvements observed on the car, Williams could however raise its ambitions compared to previous seasons.

Efforts eventually pay off

In Hungary, Williams scored its first points in a long time. In a crazy race, both Latifi and Russell finished in the top 10 for a total of ten points, placing the team eighth in the constructor standings. This is already better than the past two seasons combined. These points reward all the efforts made by the team and the drivers since the beginning of the season. Russell came close to the top 10 several times, in addition to delivering good performances during qualifying sessions. He even achieved the feat of reaching Q3 twice.

One can nevertheless regret the gap between the two drivers. The Canadian struggles in the qualifying sessions, watching his teammate work wonders with his car. While Latifi has more points, he still regularly finishes behind Russell. It’s up to him to prove that he also deserves his place in the team.

Mechanical errors that spoil (a little) everything

To succeed in F1, it is not enough to be a good driver. There are engineers and also the car. Williams has not been spared by mechanical problems. Russell is the first victim of these issues. The Briton has been forced in some Grand Prix races to retire or slow down, as his car was facing issues. If we also add some accidents like the one with Bottas at Emilia-Romagna in Italy, Russell may have some regrets. The races have shown that there was a way to take advantage of other drivers’ mistakes to gain important positions, as seen in the race in Hungary.

Énorme crash entre Bottas et Russell ❗️

Les deux pilotes s’accrochent violemment dans la ligne droite de départ 😱

Drapeau rouge 🚩#ImolaGP 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/xVjOX1zqSA

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) April 18, 2021

Russell, sparkling

If there is one thing to remember from this first part of the season at Williams, it is obviously George Russell. The British driver is achieving feats behind the wheel of his car. Last year, he scored points not driving his Williams, but in a Mercedes during the Sakhir Grand Prix replacing Hamilton, who was affected by Covid-19. During this race, he demonstrated all his talent, leading for 59 laps. At 23 years old, he still has a lot to learn. Tipped to take Valtteri Bottas’ place next year, his exploits this season have undoubtedly not escaped the eye of Toto Wolff.

The teammates’ match

On the qualifying side, it’s a flawless performance for Russell. He outclasses his teammate with a masterful touch (11-0). The British driver has always managed to make it to Q2 except in Hungary. What’s more, he has finished in Q3 twice in a row in Austria (9th) and at Silverstone (8th) in front of his fans. It is worth noting that George Russell has never been beaten by a teammate at Williams.

In the races, George Russell also dominates Latifi (7-3). But it is the Canadian who has collected the most points during this first half of the season. Six points for Latifi against four for Russell, all earned during the Hungarian GP. Even if the latter wins in races and qualifying, it remains that the driver has retired three times due to mechanical problems and a big crash with Bottas in Italy.

The team is already doing better than in previous seasons. One of the objectives has been achieved. It would not be surprising to see more Williams cars scoring points during the season. The question remains whether Latifi can raise his level and compete on equal terms with his teammate. However, seeing a Williams on the podium will still need to wait a few more years… unless!