Williams boss James Vowles has revealed that Carlos Sainz was instrumental in the fast-tracking of upgrades that it brought to last week’s Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix.
The FW47 has regressed across recent races, with Sainz and team-mate Alex Albon scoring just five points collectively in the car from the Canadian Grand Prix onwards.
However, a raft of upgrades implemented for the race at Spa-Francorchamps seemed to be the tonic for the Grove-based squad.
A comprehensive update of its floor, as well as sidepod tweaks, appeared to help Albon finish sixth in both the Sprint Race and the full Grand Prix.
Vowles revealed that advice from Sainz saw the changes put in place, when it had originally intended to be debuted at the first race after the summer break, at Zandvoort.
“We tested it in the wind tunnel in March,” he said prior to this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
“As the competition was closing in, we brought it forward by two races. We listened to Carlos.”
Vowles acknowledged that the feat of getting the parts made and put onto the car demonstrates a real shift in progress for the team.
“It was a real achievement to get the parts ready for Spa,” he said. “We couldn’t have done that a year ago.”
Williams receive timely morale boost
When asked if the upgrades could play a pivotal role in the team regaining momentum, Sainz indicated that it could help the team maintain its battle in the midfield.
“Yeah, it’s been a major part of the season,” the Spaniard told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think where we were lacking a bit of points and results in the midfield, it was getting close to us.
“But I think we were the highest scoring points team of the midfield. Hopefully that gives us a bit of momentum going forward in the second half because it’s exactly what we needed.”
Sainz said that it was apparent that rivals have shown improvement, and therefore, the changes to the car will provide a much-needed morale boost for the team.
“I think for the whole team, yeah. I think everyone could start feeling the midfield getting closer after having such a big margin at the beginning of the year,” he added.
“Especially… it was also not only results but also competitiveness was getting a lot more difficult. So, yeah, it definitely gives us, hopefully, a bit of margin.
“I think this is a difficult track for us. We should be back on the performance levels more of, let’s say, the Austrias, maybe even the Barcelonas.
“It’s always been a tough track for us here in Budapest, but with the upgrade, hopefully at least we can fight for a point or two.”
Albon said that his two top-six finishes were a pleasant boost for everyone in the team and provided a “statement” to the rest of the midfield contenders.
“It was good momentum for sure,” said the Anglo-Thai driver.
“We needed it because we obviously had a few tough races and it just puts everyone’s energy back at the factory, back here at the racetrack.
“We obviously saw a lot of our rivals putting on upgrades and us falling back.
“So it was a bit of a statement from us to firstly prove that when we do bring upgrades they work and then get a good points [finish].
“I don’t think it will necessarily carry over to every race, especially this weekend. But, we were falling back and it was good to get back.
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