Williams introduced a major upgrade package at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix featuring an all-new chassis finally meeting weight requirements, plus a new floor and aerodynamic components. The team reached Q3 for the first time in 2026, though Carlos Sainz started 14th due to a grid penalty, and scored their first points since Monaco when Sainz finished tenth.
Team principal James Vowles acknowledged the upgrade represented exactly the step they expected, though Alex Albon admitted they hadn't anticipated reaching Q3. The car showed improved long-run pace in practice, unlocking access to the midfield battle with teams like Haas, Racing Bulls and Audi.
Baku historically favors Williams' characteristics, making the upcoming Malaysian and Singapore rounds more telling for the upgrade's true worth. Albon warned that Malaysia's downforce-focused Sepang circuit will likely see the team fall back relative to competitors, while Singapore should provide a middle ground for performance.
Albon's crash during the race exposed ongoing weaknesses with the car's tendency to lift the front wheel and three-wheel under braking. The incident occurred after a wind gust combined with late braking, demonstrating how the penalty for front locking remains severe on the Williams chassis despite the upgrades.