Montoya: Williams' Baku upgrade could be a 'huge step'

Juan Pablo Montoya believes Williams will take a 'huge step' forward at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as the team prepares to introduce a major upgrade package, described by James Vowles as a 'B-spec' car. The Grove outfit is coming off another difficult weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Carlos Sainz retired from his home race and Alex Albon finished 15th.

Why it matters:

Williams currently sits ninth in the constructors' championship with just 11 points, ahead of only Aston Martin and Cadillac. A strong showing in Baku would not only provide a much-needed points boost but also prove that the team's in-season development capability has genuinely improved under Vowles' leadership.

The details:

• Montoya, speaking on F1 TV's post-race broadcast, said he is eager to see what Williams brings in Baku. "They even told Carlos today, 'Sorry for all this pain. Next year, we want to make you proud,'" he revealed.
• Vowles previously confirmed the package includes a new chassis and other components, calling it a "large upgrade."
• The team principal stressed the importance of the upgrade as a process test, saying Williams must prove it can engineer and build a car to the right quality mid-season — "effectively the equivalency of flying the plane and rebuilding it at the same time."

What's next:

Williams will debut the B-spec car at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a circuit where low-downforce, high-speed corners could highlight the new package's strengths. If Montoya's expectation holds, it could mark the start of a more competitive phase for the team.