Williams Team Principal James Vowles has claimed his Formula 1 drivers are “settled” despite a difficult start to its 2026 campaign, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Grove-based team had finally found its feet towards the end of the ground effects era with a fifth-placed finish in the Constructors’ championship, last season.
That said, with the onset of F1’s latest era, the iconic British marque has suffered from a faltering start.
Seven rounds in, the team sits eighth in the standings with 11 points to their name. At the Red Bull Ring, this weekend, Williams has not brought any upgrades.
Yet, Vowles is confident about retaining the services of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon for the long-term, claiming his drivers to be “settled” despite a rocky start.
“They are settled,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “I can answer really the question you’re asking, which is, is there risk? I’m very comfortable with where we are with Alex and Carlos.
“Our job in all of this, irrespective of Alex and Carlos, but for the wider picture, is to develop this car and prove to ourselves that we have the capability to move significantly forward relative to the field. That’s it.
“That is the goal. And being transparent about it all, they’re looking for exactly the same output that we need to achieve on that point. Are we putting performance on the table, delivering it, moving on and keeping stepping that way?”
“Won’t ever happen again” – Williams makes critical promise to its F1 drivers
Williams’ rough start this season did not come as a surprise given it had already been struggling since pre-season.
The team missed the private shakedown at Barcelona, in February, amid rumors of a massively overweight FW48.
Referencing Williams’ pre-season woes, Vowles vowed that the team would not repeat its mistakes.
“On that one, I’m very confident it won’t ever happen again. So that’s why I sit here calm and comforted as a result of everything,” he added.
The former Mercedes Strategy Chief also insisted that, as things stand, he has no doubt his drivers are still signed up to the project.
“And if you don’t know my language for it, Carlos spoke about it yesterday, Alex spoke about it, I think in the press conference last week,” concluded Vowles.
“They’re comfortable with where they are. They want to be on this journey with us. We need to make a few steps, that’s it.”
Friday running at Spielberg saw Williams finish outside the top 15 during both FP1 and FP2.
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