Williams holds back 2026 upgrades to save cost cap funds

Williams team principal James Vowles has said the decision not to bring further upgrades to the car this season was "painful". The team, which finished fifth in the world championship last year, has dropped to ninth in the standings. It introduced a new chassis for both drivers at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but has not developed it further in order to maximise its potential under Formula 1's budget cap.

Vowles said the team had aero components locked away in the wind tunnel that it had not brought to the track, saving the cost cap funds for next year. He said the team's development work has focused on 2027, when the chassis will be largely unchanged from this season. He acknowledged that points are only likely if fortune falls the team's way, and said it was better to invest in the future.

The team has also limited its running in practice to reduce wear on its diminishing stock of parts as the season nears its end.