Williams boss James Vowles has stated that the team has a “substantial” upgrade package coming to its 2024 Formula 1 following the British Grand Prix next month.
The Grove-based squad has struggled to progress on its rise to seventh in the Constructors’ Championship last season as it languishes down in ninth with two points.
Williams has endured various setbacks with the choice to overhaul its car concept and several shunts leaving the side without spare parts at races earlier in the term.
However, Alex Albon ended Williams’ elusive wait to amass points in 2024 with ninth place in Monaco and he also advanced through into Q3 in Canada last weekend.
But the Anglo-Thai driver’s prospects were curtailed when Carlos Sainz span at Turn 6 and hit the Williams, with team-mate Logan Sargeant having crashed out earlier.
Vowles admitted that it was “painful” that Alpine capitalised on that misfortune to land three points, but he took “solace” that Williams proved to be competitive again.
“We’ve been to Monaco, which is the track with the highest level of downforce that needs a strong balance and we were competitive,” Vowles said.
“We’ve now gone to a track where it’s the complete opposite end of the spectrum, the downforce comes off the car, and yet we’re competitive and [ran] in the points.”
Albon expressed post-race that the inroads Williams is making should provide encouragement as he revealed the team’s FW46 has not undergone much development.
Vowles has divulged that the British outfit will have updates arriving across the upcoming triple header and reckons it can turn around its sluggish opening to the year.
“We have performance coming across the next few races that will start adding up and allow us to move forward relative to field,” he explained.
“It’s been a slow start to the season, but there’s every reason to be positive about the remainder of the season in front of us.”
The Briton, 44, has also disclosed that Williams should be introducing more seismic updates at the Hungarian Grand Prix to complement the new parts arriving soon.
“There will be performance adds across the next few race weekends with a very substantial package probably post-triple header,” he added.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t be adding performance. There’s quite a bit to come over the next few races.”
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