Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles has admitted the team is facing a difficult 2026 season and is already looking ahead to 2027 for significant improvements.
Under the new regulations, Williams has struggled with poor performance, ranking among the slowest teams in the first half of the season.
Drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon sit 15th and 16th in the drivers' standings, with the team holding only 11 points in the constructors' championship.
Vowles thanked the team's staff for their hard work, saying, "It's been an incredibly tough first half of the year."
He also praised the drivers: "They've been by our side all the way through and stood headstrong despite the difficulties."
Williams plans to introduce a 'B-spec' car upgrade at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in late September, but Vowles admitted it won't be enough to significantly improve results this season.
"Baku's coming, it will be a step but it simply won't be enough to be tangible and put us in the right place this season," he said.
The focus will remain on fixing fundamental issues and preparing for a stronger performance in 2027.
Drivers have expressed skepticism about the upcoming upgrades.
Alex Albon remarked, "I don't know what kind of upgrade that Aston had, but I could only dream of that."
Carlos Sainz also advised focusing on the 2027 regulations, indicating the current upgrades won't enable a points fight.
Williams' difficulties stem partly from an infrastructure overhaul that delayed car production and resulted in an overweight FW48 chassis at the start of the season.
Despite efforts to reduce weight, both drivers reported decreased performance with lighter specifications, highlighting ongoing aerodynamic and chassis challenges.
Investor scrutiny of Vowles has increased as Williams struggles to keep pace with rivals like Aston Martin and Cadillac, who have shown progress with their upgrades this season.
Though there is no immediate threat to Vowles' position, failure of the Baku upgrade could alter the team's leadership landscape.
Vowles concluded, "We go into the summer break with frustration, but also the desire to make everything right in our future."
