Williams CEO Jost Capito says the level of dejection within the team at not scoring points in Austria highlights the gains it has made in recent grands prix.
Williams has not classified within the top 10 of a grand prix in almost two years but showed an uplift in performance across the triple header.
George Russell finished 12th in France, in a race where all 20 starters were classified, and went on to qualify 11th in Styria, before retiring from the top 10 due to a power unit issue.
Russell started from eighth in Austria, having returned Williams to Q3 for the first time since 2018, and finished in 11th position, following a late battle against Alpine’s Fernando Alonso.
“[The team] is very disappointed and I am very happy that everyone is disappointed [as] four weeks ago everyone would have triumphed for 11th place,” said Capito.
“We said the 12th place in France was fantastic and now with being disappointed with 11th shows the fire of the team and the enthusiasm the team has now, that they want more.
“If we would have said before the triple header what we would achieve in these three races everybody would have said ‘you’re completely crazy, never ever’.
“And, now, we are even disappointed with these results, so I think that shows the way we are taking the team.”
Capito went on to praise the manner of Russell’s driving after the Briton attempted to preserve the final points-paying position against Alonso.
“It was fantastic, he could be sure he couldn’t keep him up to the end because the [Alpine] car is much quicker,” said Capito.
“You saw when he [Alonso] finally passed George how quickly he could open the gap, and the car is quicker than our car.
“George did a fantastic job, these two put a great show on for the spectators.”
Williams holds ninth in the standings, ahead of Haas on results countback.
