Williams boss James Vowles has shooed away any notions that either of its drivers would be looking for alternative drives, amid the team’s tricky start to this year’s Formula 1 season and the impending start of the so-called “silly season”.
The Grove-based squad has so far been unable to build on its superb 2025 season, in which it finished fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, aided by two podiums from Carlos Sainz.
Issues with the weight of its FW48 chassis and the navigation through the sport’s complex new regulations cycle have seen the team amass just seven points amassed from the first five rounds.
For Sainz and teammate Alex Albon, the situation will indeed be a disappointing one to be involved in, particularly with 2025 creating so much promise.
But Vowles, speaking over the weekend of the Canadian Grand Prix, iterated the team’s fighting spirit, distancing it from the “Williams of old,” insisting both Sainz and Albon share that mentality, placing a silencer on the starting pistol soon to be triggered for the mid-season driver market rumours.
“Same with the drivers. The drivers aren’t here or interested in being just into Q3,” he told media, including Motorsport Week.
“But they are interested in being demonstrated that we have facilities behind us that are able to fix and remedy problems when they come up, and I think that’s the main element.
“I think we’re on the right pathway for that, but we haven’t done enough yet.
“In terms of ‘silly season’, speak to Alex, speak to Carlos. They want to be part of this journey.”
Sainz took a point-scoring ninth place in Montreal, signalling continued progress. With the F1 circus rolling on to Monaco this week, Williams will be looking to score big in the principality.
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