Williams’ 2024 Struggles Mask FW46’s True Potential

Williams’ FW46 showcased hidden strengths in 2024, hindered by setbacks and a challenging season that obscured its true performance capabilities.

Williams F1 explained that, despite results suggesting otherwise, its 2024 Formula 1 car performed better than its predecessor.

Finishing ninth in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Williams scored a total of 17 points over 24 races this year.

Compared to last year’s seventh-place finish with 28 points, the British team slipped back.

Williams F1’s Head of Performance, Dave Robson, defended the situation.

“It’s a bit mixed if you just look at the final position and points. But fundamentally, the car is better—it just didn’t translate into final results.”

“There are several reasons for this, one being that we took a step back to move forward in the car’s development.”

Robson explained that Williams started the season on the wrong foot, with an overweight car before the opening round in Bahrain.

The team intended to improve the car’s balance over the winter, but the time spent developing a concept change resulted in a heavier car.

Shortly afterward, Alex Albon’s infamous crash during Friday practice in Melbourne marked the beginning of a downward spiral. Williams ended the year with 17 crashes in total.

“The attrition from Melbourne slowed us down in terms of adding new parts to the car. Combined with starting the program late last year, the car being overweight, and some rushed components, it set us back.”

“This cost us time—both in lap performance and development efforts—as we focused on reducing weight instead of making major upgrades.”

“This definitely held us back in terms of results, which is frustrating. But I’m confident the car is better than the race results suggest.”