What Is Going Wrong For Williams This Formula 1 Season?

After high hopes for new 2026 regulations, a dreadful start to the new season has left many wondering what is going wrong with Williams in Formula 1 this year - including driver Carlos Sainz.

Although Williams has gradually reduced the significant weight disadvantage that hampered its car at the start of the Formula 1 year, performance has failed to improve as expected.

Carlos Sainz Laments Williams Formula 1 Struggles

Speaking after the British Grand Prix, Sainz admitted: “It starts to be a bad trend this year that we don't seem to really find a lot of lap time when the upgrades are coming.”

The Spaniard believes the team's upgrades are not delivering the gains predicted by simulation tools.

Even a new front wing introduced at Silverstone failed to provide the expected improvement, leaving Williams further adrift of the midfield than anticipated.

Sainz added: “We need to have a good sit-down now this week and analyse what's happening because unfortunately, we've shed a lot of weight out of the car by now. But the gap to the front keeps increasing.”

Behind the scenes, team principal James Vowles says the problems extend beyond the car itself.

Williams' design process exposed weaknesses in its engineering systems, data analysis and manufacturing operation, with key issues discovered too late during development.

Unlike established frontrunners, the team is still building the infrastructure, expertise and supplier relationships needed to compete consistently.

The team also faces the challenge of improving its current car while continuing to overhaul its long-term operation under Formula 1's cost cap.

Williams hopes a major "B-spec" car, scheduled to debut later this season, will address both the remaining weight concerns and aerodynamic shortcomings that have frustrated both drivers.

For now, however, Sainz remains concerned that the team is losing ground rather than catching its rivals, making the coming upgrades crucial if Williams is to restore confidence in its long-term project.