Dec.6 (GMM) Williams boss James Vowles says the team’s unexpected rise to fifth in the 2025 constructors’ championship came despite the FW47 being developed for only “a few weeks” last winter as focus shifted almost entirely to the all-new 2026 regulations.
“If you had asked me a year ago what the best possible scenario for 2025 was, I wouldn’t have said fifth place or three podiums,” he told AS in Abu Dhabi.
“You have to remember that we are focused on 2026, and this year’s car only took up a few weeks of the winter.”
Vowles admitted the midfield’s volatility – including Aston Martin’s collapse to ninth – also played a role, but highlighted the team’s strong execution and the arrival of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari.
Spaniard Sainz, who took podiums in Baku, Qatar and the Austin sprint, surprised his boss with how he responds to stress.
“The start of the year took Carlos longer than I expected – it’s a very different car from the Ferrari,” Vowles said. “But the results speak for themselves.
“When you put him under pressure, he improves. He needs pressure to perform better – I didn’t know that.”
He described moments where Sainz delivered on demand: “When something has gone slightly wrong in qualifying, he’s in the garage and goes out without pressure. The engineers raise their voices, and instead of raising his, he relaxes because he has it under control.
“You put the driver under pressure to do a hot lap, or the final laps in Qatar with problems in the Williams – again he managed it perfectly.”
While Sainz’s season has been eye-catching, Alex Albon’s has been more anonymous – a mix of quiet points finishes and weekends where he struggled to escape Q1.
But Vowles insists there is “no problem” with the Thai driver’s speed.
“Alex had pace in Las Vegas and Qatar. If he didn’t have pace, we’d have a problem,” he said. “There was a lack of consistency, and small details are now decisive. He lost a tenth at Turn 1, there were problems getting the tyres up to temperature – and that makes the difference between finishing 16th or getting into Q3.”
Vowles said Albon’s recent dip was setup related.
“We were a bit off-track with Alex’s setup, and his car was pushing the limits more, while Carlos’s was more manageable. It’s a specific response to the last few races.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES