Williams team principal James Vowles is cautiously optimistic about the remaining races of the Formula 1 season. While the British team has shown strong performances on circuits such as Baku and Imola earlier this year, Vowles expects Singapore to be a significant challenge for his team. However, he believes there are still plenty of opportunities on other circuits.
Carlos Sainz secured his first podium finish as a Williams driver during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which was naturally a cause for celebration for the British team. “We were fast in Baku, and we’ve always been fast there,” team principal James Vowles tells the media. However, the Brit immediately looks ahead to the next Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. “Singapore is going to be a tough one, it’s as simple as that.” The narrow, twisty streets of Singapore require maximum downforce – exactly where the FW46 falls short. “My estimate is that we’re going to struggle in Singapore,” the Brit predicts. “As soon as we have to run with maximum wing settings, we already know that this car is not at all designed for that.”
According to Vowles, this is no surprise: Williams is running in Singapore with a rear wing that is already a year old. “We simply did not invest in a new rear wing.” The decision not to develop a new high-downforce rear wing was deliberate. The team decided to focus its resources on circuits where the Williams performs better.
Focus on Remaining Races
Vowles believes the best chances for Williams lie in the final stages of the season. “There are a few more circuits coming up that do suit us,” he sounds optimistic. “I think Abu Dhabi could be very good for us, as could Las Vegas, and I think Brazil and Mexico could also suit us. So there are still plenty of races on the calendar where we stand a good chance.”
