Williams endured a turbulent 2024 Formula 1 season, slipping to ninth in the Constructors’ Championship. But despite the challenges, team principal James Vowles insists that significant progress is being made behind the scenes, laying the groundwork for a brighter future.
A Season of Setbacks and Rebuilding
The team began the year with an overweight FW46 chassis, which hindered development under the constraints of the cost cap. A series of crashes throughout the season compounded the difficulties, limiting opportunities to unlock the car’s full potential.
Williams’ struggles were evident on the track, with Alex Albon reaching Q3 eight times and rookie Franco Colapinto making it twice, yet only securing six points finishes across 24 races. Despite these setbacks, Vowles remains optimistic.
Major Overhaul Behind the Scenes
Vowles, who joined Williams in 2023, revealed that the team has undergone a significant transformation, hiring nearly 250 new personnel and modernizing its infrastructure. With substantial investment from owners Dorilton Capital, the Grove-based team is poised to capitalize on the 2026 regulation changes.
“The main thing is this: a lot of the really positive bits the world can’t see,” Vowles told Autosport. “I can walk around the building and just see excellence that has race-winning pedigree all a part of our team now.”
Eye on Long-Term Gains
Vowles emphasized that Williams’ journey is a multi-year project. The team’s performance in 2023 and 2024 was not expected to reflect the full extent of internal improvements, but he believes these changes will yield results in the coming seasons.
“Do I think ninth fully reflects what we’ve achieved? No,” Vowles admitted. “There’s some really great things coming in the future. That’s my focus.”
Trackside Execution Must Improve
While acknowledging the team’s strides off the track, Vowles pointed out the need for better execution on race weekends. Missed opportunities, such as Albon’s crash in Brazil after a second-place qualifying performance and Colapinto’s Q3 potential in Las Vegas, highlight areas for improvement.
“We’re not delivering it all together,” Vowles said. “We need everything—reliability, design, performance, drivers, and strategy—to move forward at the right rate.”
Looking Ahead to 2025 and Beyond
With the groundwork being laid, Vowles is targeting significant progress starting in 2025. The ultimate goal is to position Williams as a frontrunner by the time the 2026 regulation changes take effect.
“The only way the world will really see [our progress] is through results in 2025, 2026, and 2027,” he concluded.
