Vowles on Williams' Baku upgrade: 'A step in the right direction, but not enough'

James Vowles believes Williams' major upgrade in Baku is a step in the right direction, but he's keeping expectations firmly in check. The new FW48 features a revised, lighter chassis and a new aero package, yet the team principal insists it's "not enough" for where they want to be.

Why it matters:

After a difficult start to 2026, Williams made an early decision to focus development resources on one big upgrade rather than incremental steps. With an overweight car and delayed developments, they've scored no points since Monaco. This package is critical for the rest of the season and for building momentum into next year.

The details:

• Vowles called the upgrade "fantastic work" to redevelop an entirely new chassis in-season, but admitted it's not where he or the drivers want it to be.
• The weight-saving techniques remain a secret, but Vowles said they were unique in the pit lane and involved passing tough FIA tests.
• In FP1, Sainz finished 12th and Albon 13th, just two tenths off the top 10. Sainz also dealt with a brake fire in the pit lane after just 15 minutes.
• FP2 saw Albon 16th and Sainz 17th, with Sainz saying the car felt "a bit better" and closer to the midfield.
• Vowles stressed that the upgrade is about next year and beyond, not just immediate points. "We're not going to try to scrabble for one or two positions this year."

What's next:

Sainz says they need to make the right steps into FP3 and qualifying. Vowles warned that new aero packages rarely work perfectly first time, so points in Baku are not guaranteed. The team's focus remains on long-term development of the car concept.