Williams has encountered a significant setback in the 2024 Formula 1 season after opting for a versatile car design compared to the previous year’s specialized model. While the 2023 car excelled on specific tracks, delivering strong results through Alex Albon, the current FW46 struggles for competitiveness across all circuits.
Consequently, the team finds itself at the bottom of the midfield, ahead of only Sauber. Despite this, team principal James Vowles remains committed to a long-term strategy for Williams’ revival.
To address the car’s shortcomings, the team plans to introduce upgrades focusing on aerodynamics, suspension, and weight reduction shortly after the summer break, targeting races in Zandvoort and Baku or Singapore.
Williams is aiming for a significant performance boost by the end of the season, with substantial upgrades planned in aerodynamics, suspension, and weight reduction.
While these changes are ambitious, the team’s confidence is tempered by the recent struggles of other teams with similar upgrades.
In a strategic shift, Williams has already begun focusing on its 2025 car, with the ultimate goal of accelerating development for the 2026 regulations.
This ambitious approach, though unusual for the team, is becoming increasingly common in Formula 1 as competition intensifies.
