Vowles says Williams' 2026 slump is 'a blip'

Williams team principal James Vowles has admitted the squad "got carried away" with its success last season, but says a disappointing 2026 campaign is merely "a blip". Williams finished fifth in the 2025 constructors' standings, their best result since 2017, before the sport's biggest regulation change saw new power units and chassis introduced.

Williams are now ninth of the 11 teams with three rounds remaining, having scored just 12 points, compared with a final total of 137 a year earlier. Drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon have been hugely frustrated by the situation. Vowles said there would be blips on the pathway and that the team had made significant changes behind the scenes that were needed to make the next steps.

Despite speculation over his position, Vowles said he is not feeling the pressure and praised the board's support.