Compromises at Williams in 2025 to better prepare for 2026
F1. Team principal of Williams, James Vowles has agreed that his team will make compromises during the 2025 season to better prepare for the following one, risking a slight regression compared to the competition.
The investments made by Dorilton Capital since its acquisition of Williams in 2020 are starting to be felt. After a difficult start to the season athletically, the FW43 seems to be satisfying as the championship approaches its conclusion. This is evidenced by the 10 points collected by the Grove team during the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, results attributable to the lightening of the cars.
"This year's car was performing well. I think I've been quite open about our overweight. [...] Now that we've had the performance by removing the weight from the car, we're back where I wanted us to be," James Vowles said for Autosport.
A decline expected by 2025.
If the improvements seen in recent weeks suggest more convincing results for the last six Grand Prix of the season, ambitions will be revised downwards for 2025. The head of Williams is clear: « Alex [Albon] and Carlos [Sainz] both know [...] that 2025 will be a struggle. » The priority of the British team is the development of high-performance single-seaters for 2026 and entry into the new era of Formula 1.
Translate: Lire aussi: Williams aura le "meilleur duo de pilotes" en 2025 selon Vowles
Vowles therefore expects his team to step back a little next season. If that's the case, it suits me, because it simply means that I'm investing at the right pace for 2026. […] That's what we should expect: we will compromise with 2025. It doesn't mean we will be tenth, but it will be a tough year.
To be ambitious in 2026
Williams' aim will be to be competitive in 2026. To achieve this, Vowles sees no other choice but to sacrifice the development of the 2025 single-seaters. A deliberate decision that could be shared by other teams on the grid, even if some, like Mercedes, do not want to lower their ambitions for the next season.
« I think that in 2026, what we are asking of the organization is more important than what we can achieve [without compromise]. Therefore, we must ensure that it aligns with what we are requesting, even if it means stumbling a little along the way. » Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz are warned: scoring points next season will not be an easy task.
Also read: 97 millions d'euros de perte pour Williams en 2023
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