Williams made great strides last season, jumping from 10th to 7th in the standings. So far this year, things have been more difficult for the team. Williams are only 9th in the standings, taking two points after nine rounds. Despite this, team principal James Vowles is still enthusiastic about the future.
Since arriving at Williams, the former Mercedes engineer has been very clear about his ambition. A series of changes have already been implemented at the factory in Grove. They have all been implemented with long-term growth in mind, as opposed to immediate performance.
The team’s early-season shortage of spare components can be partly attributed to changes in design procedures over winter.
Of course, this caused the British squad plenty of grief in the early rounds. It was a lack of spare parts that led to the already infamous decision to withdraw Logan Sargeant mid-weekend in Australia.
However, James Vowles is willing to make these sacrifices to put the team in a better long-term position.
Vowles: Williams are in a better position compared to previous seasons
The Williams team principal has elaborated on his vision for the team:
“There’s a reason why I left Mercedes to come here. This isn’t the Williams of old.
“And I think, first and foremost, the fact that we are having Sainz on our list will certainly show you that this isn’t how we’ve performed of late.”
ALBON Alexander (tha), Williams Racing FW46, portrait during the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2024, 6th round of the 2024 Formula One World Championship from May 3 to 5, 2024 on the Miami International Autodrome, in Miami, United States of America
Should Sainz choose to join Williams, it would be a ringing endorsement. After all, the Spaniard also has the option of a manufacturer team.
It must be said, at least so far, Williams are seen as a more attractive proposition than the team overseen by Andreas Seidl.
Top-quality engineers joining the project
Growing driver interest is another promising indicator of the progress at the Grove factory. James Vowles has also emphasised the investment being put into improving infrastructure:
“We are prepared to have a driver line-up that I think is going to be one of the best on the grid if it’s achieved, and that’s a different era that we’re going into.
“We’re investing tens if not hundreds of millions to [take] this team back to where it was, in terms of success.
“There is, in the background, a number of really great signings that will slowly start edging out into the world.”
Of course, climbing the field is not an instant process. Vowles anticipates it will take several more years for Williams to have all the necessary elements to climb at the front.
Still, the team’s trajectory is clear. Dorilton Capitol are showing no issue with splashing the cash to improve the quality and quantity of personnel at Grove:
“But this really is a good journey where we’re now starting to see the hard work that started 12 months ago come into play.
“And that gives me every reason to be confident that we’re moving forward…
“We’re now starting to put performance to the car race by race, and this is a different entity to what it was before.”
