The Australian Grand Prix is an exciting day for Williams. It is the beginning of their new era as they look to return to the front of F1.
The Grove-based outfit are building a strong foundation to be competitive in the future. While Williams are focusing their efforts on 2026 and the new regulations, they have taken a step forward for 2025.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain was encouraging as the team seemed to display pace that would get them away from the back of the field. Carlos Sainz set the fastest time on day two in Sakhir.
This marks a huge progression from Williams after what was a disappointing 2024 campaign. The team finished ninth in the constructors’ championship with just 17 points.
Last year was – quite literally – damaging for the Grove squad. The team suffered multiple accidents across the season that cost millions in damages. The crashes were so frequent that they often did not have spare parts to repair the cars.
Williams even had to borrow Aston Martin parts in Las Vegas after Franco Colapinto crashed in qualifying. The most notable example of the team’s under-preparation in 2024 was the Australian Grand Prix.
James Vowles says Williams are not in the same situation as the 2024 Australian Grand Prix – they will have spare parts
Alex Albon crashed heavily in practice in Melbourne, damaging his FW46 beyond repair. Williams had not bought a spare chassis to the circuit.
As the Thai driver was the team’s number one driver, Albon was put into Logan Sargeant’s car, benching the American for the race. Unfortunately, the 28-year-old narrowly missed out on points in P11.
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The events of last year’s race in Melbourne set up a miserable season for the Grove-based tea, But speaking on the official Williams YouTube channel, team principal James Vowles says the team is not in the same position in 2024.
Sainz and Albon will have spare parts for the Grand Prix, with Vowles lauding his two ‘top tier drivers’ that put Williams in a more ‘positive space’ for this year’s event.
“Last year, as we changed so much of our organisation, we struggled to have spare parts there and it cost us on the day.
“We’re not in that situation this year. We have a car that is on the weight limit first and foremost and we have a set of spares around us that are the right quantities to be going racing at round one of an event.
“So, a positive space to be in. We also have two incredible drivers, top tier drivers that are here, that understands what it is to be in a winning organisation and to be winning races.
“And that’s a difference to where we have been in years gone past as well.”
Why Williams staff are privately feeling ‘really nervous’ for the Australian Grand Prix
After pre-season, expectations are higher for Williams in 2025. Their progress has led many to believe they will be regularly in the points and possibly even fighting for the odd podium.
But Alpine were ‘very dismissive’ of Williams’ pace in Bahrain, claiming that they demonstrated their speed for their sponsors. The Enstone-based team could be Sainz and Albon’s biggest rivals in the midfield in 2025.
Vowles will be optimistic about his team’s chances in Melbourne. But the feeling within the garage and at Grove is one of caution – understandably after a difficult 2024 campaign.
Williams staff are privately feeling ‘very nervous’ ahead of the race. They do not want to get carried away with their performance in testing.
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