Williams F1 team set to face a tough challenge at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix after introducing new upgrades to their car. Team principal James Vowles revealed that the Hungaroring circuit will prove to be a “weaker” track for them following the latest FW47 enhancements.
The recent upgrades, focused on floor fences and a new floor edge, were implemented during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, where drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz managed to secure 11 additional points for the team. Vowles emphasized that the added downforce to the car will still result in varying performance across different circuits, with Spa and Monza expected to be stronger tracks for Williams compared to Budapest.
Despite the positive impact of the upgrades at Spa-Francorchamps, both Sainz and Albon acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead at the Hungarian GP. Sainz mentioned that while the team is moving in the right direction, the upgrades have made the car “trickier” to handle, indicating a potential struggle at the upcoming race in Hungary.
Historically, Hungary has not been a favorable track for Williams, a sentiment echoed by Albon who expressed that the team typically does not perform well at the circuit. Looking ahead to the Hungarian Grand Prix, Albon highlighted the importance of gathering more data across different tracks to assess the true performance of the car.
With the Hungarian Grand Prix marking the final race before the F1 summer break, Williams currently holds fifth place in the constructors’ championship with 70 points, maintaining a 27-point lead over Sauber in sixth position. The team’s performance at the upcoming race will be crucial in determining their trajectory for the remainder of the season, with hopes of a strong finish to solidify their position in the standings.
