P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 boss believes he’s turned backmarkers into title contenders but there’s a problem
The 2026 F1 season is anticipated to witness a complete reshuffling in the competitive hierarchy of all 11 teams due to the introduction of new regulations.
There is a notable departure from the ground effect era, just as some teams were showing signs of challenging the top contenders.
Williams demonstrated an impressive turnaround last year, going from second to last in 2024 to finishing in fifth place in the team standings in 2025.
Under the leadership of team principal James Vowles, and with drivers like Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, Williams showed remarkable progress.
Despite the extended partnership with Mercedes for their engines in 2026, Vowles is cautious about Williams’ ability to compete against the dominant Mercedes team.
He acknowledges the limitations of Williams compared to Mercedes and remains realistic about the team’s prospects for the upcoming season.
