Williams sit ninth in the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, and Alex Albon has admitted the team are braced for a difficult finish to the season.
The Grove-based outfit has struggled to replicate the success of its 2025 campaign, when Albon scored points in seven of the opening eight races. This year, however, Williams have managed just 11 points through 11 rounds and have not added to that tally since the Monaco Grand Prix in June.
Their toughest weekend came in Hungary, where both drivers were eliminated in Q1 before Carlos Sainz finished 17th and Albon crossed the line in 18th. While Audi and Aston Martin have climbed ahead after introducing upgrades, Williams must wait until September’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix for its own extensive package.
Team principal James Vowles has described the Baku update as “almost an entirely new car”, although Albon is unconvinced it will dramatically improve the team’s fortunes.
He believes the team’s troubles began after missing January’s Barcelona pre-season shakedown because of production delays, with the overweight FW48 continuing to struggle, particularly at high-downforce circuits such as the Hungaroring.
“We know the weaknesses of the car, we know the directions,” said Albon.
“I think as a team, this year, the work that’s being done at the factory, it’s the biggest effort I’ve seen from the team to really fight these genetic DNA problems that this team has.
“I appreciate it. I think we’re doing exactly the right things to get back on track. It’s a shame that we’re here in the first place, but I do believe we’re doing the right thing.
“If it’s cured by Baku? I doubt it. I think a lot of the Baku stuff has happened. That upgrade was planned quite a long time ago.
“A lot of what we’re really, unfortunately, biting into is next year’s car. It’s making sure next year’s car doesn’t have these traits – frustrating!”
“Honestly, driving wise, it’s frustrating because I can’t even drive really,” he added after Hungary.
“The team’s not getting the best from me because I have to under-drive so much: the gusts, the wind, the track. We talk about that three wheeling.
“It’s just, you try and push. I think there were six laps in the race where the wind stabilised and I could finally settle down and get into a rhythm.
“Then the wind picks up again and you’re back into that cycle. It feels like you’re making mistakes but you’re not.
“You’re just braking at the same places, doing the same things, but just lacking consistency. It was a battle out there today.”
