Williams have scored 313 podiums across their 851 races in Formula 1. But the last of those came at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix courtesy of George Russell.
Russell produced a memorable qualifying lap in wet conditions to take second on the grid between championship contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The expectation was that the Williams driver would drop back in the race, but the sodden affair only lasted two laps behind the safety car.
That meant the team only earned half points, but it still helped them finish eighth in the constructors’ championship ahead of Alfa Romeo and Haas. It was their first top-three result since the 2017 Azerbaijan GP.
Williams ended up second from bottom last year on just 17 points. They were nearly 30 points behind the next team (Racing Bulls on 46).
Their best result came at a typically chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Alex Albon finished seventh. But the signing of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari may have raised their ceiling.
Williams were at a disadvantage last year because James Vowles completely overhauled their processes during the winter. Things are more settled at Grove this time, and the anticipated converge of the pack could bring opportunities.
James Vowles believes Williams have the ‘ingredients’ to score podiums with Carlos Sainz this year
Williams debuted their FW47 car at Silverstone on Friday morning. Just like McLaren, they ran a bespoke livery, saving the real design for the F175 event in London next week.
During the live stream on their official YouTube channel, host Steve Jones asked Vowles whether podiums were a possibility. One would expect the former Mercedes man to downplay expectations, thereby reducing the pressure.
But instead, he refused to rule it out. While he admits it’s ‘unlikely’ in normal circumstances, he thinks there will be an opening at some point during the 24-race calendar.
“Nothing’s impossible,” he said. “We’ve got to remember there have been a few surprises last year. What I can say is this – we have a lot more of the ingredients available to us.
“On a normal race weekend, it’s going to be unlikely. There are circumstances that will fall our way, and we have two of the strongest drivers that will give absolutely everything, as will I, as will the team.”
Alpine were the only team outside the top four to spray the champagne last year. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly transformed their season with a remarkable double podium in Sao Paulo, the kind of feat Vowles will look to replicate this season.
Carlos Sainz already delighted by one thing at Williams after joining from Ferrari
Sainz will absolutely love Vowles’ optimism. He’s just left a Ferrari team that collected five victories and an F1-best 22 podiums last year.
He’ll naturally view this as a long-term prospect, but after multiple years fighting at the front, it would be inescapably deflating to spend the whole season on the fringes of the points. Vowles has repeatedly stated that Williams will prioritise the 2026 regulation changes, but he’s clearly optimistic about their short-term prospects too.
Sainz was ‘impressed’ by Williams’ motivation at the end of the 2024 season, which was brutal at times. A succession of accidents in the final phase of the campaign has put them at risk of a cost-cap breach.
Williams will ‘probably’ exceed the spending limit, but they may be able to stay within the ‘minor’ threshold. That would likely entail a fine, manageable for an outfit who have just signed a new title sponsor.
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