Williams F1’s FW46 Outpaces Rivals but Luck Holds Points Back

Williams F1 battles misfortune as Vowles believes FW46 should secure stronger championship results in this season’s tight midfield competition.

Williams F1 Appears to Have a Competitive Car, Yet Points Remain Elusive for Grove Team

With just a single point from the last three races, team principal James Vowles acknowledges the frustration, as he believes the FW46 has the potential for far stronger results.

“We have the capability to score points every weekend. We need to recognise that the midfield battle is incredibly tight,” he states.

“In Mexico, for instance, there were four or five teams, all of us separated by just 30 to 40 milliseconds. Everything has to be executed perfectly. The frustration lies in the fact that we have the car’s pace, but we haven’t consistently aligned with all the various factors at play.”

“In Mexico, it was simply a racing incident—there’s nothing one can do about it. At the start, three cars can’t fit into two spaces. We also had a second incident in FP1, all of which sets you back over the weekend. Yet, even with those setbacks, Alex still managed to bring the car to ninth place, and given Franco’s race pace, we had the potential to score solid points.”

“It was a similar story in Austin. It’s a tale of Franco’s outstanding drive, a brilliant pass on Fernando, and a strong recovery. But again, an early race collision—due to everyone being bunched together and fighting for the same few metres—put Alex out of contention. We haven’t been able to maximise anything in the past two weekends, and that’s frustrating.”

“Having a fast car is challenging enough, but we’ve got solid foundations to build upon. Once again, everything seems to be in place here, but it’s crucial we avoid any further setbacks.”

So, is it simply a change of fortune that Williams needs most?

“That’s where I get into a bit of trouble myself, as I don’t believe in luck or misfortune. Really, I don’t. I think you create success through structure, processes, and delivering the car to the right place on track at the right time. I struggled to accept what happened in Mexico on that basis, but I believe it’s our job to… We have a fairly quick car. We just need to ensure we execute to the best of our ability and let the points come to us.”

The Battle with Alpine F1 for Eighth Place

Williams finds itself in the midst of one of the Championship’s closest battles, with just three points separating them from Alpine. So, who does Vowles believe currently has the faster F1 car?

“Alpine has done some impressive things… Pierre has been particularly strong in qualifying over recent races. But when it comes to the race, we’ve generally managed to finish ahead each time. So, based on what I consider the most telling measure—race pace—we’re looking good. We’re in front, but only just.”

Franco Colapinto continues to make significant strides with each race… a crucial factor in outpacing Alpine F1?

“Without question, and there’s still much more to come from him, which is only natural. It would be easy to overlook, when you consider his performances in Mexico and Austin, that he’s only been with us for a handful of Formula 1 races, yet that’s exactly the case. And as you know with all top drivers, growth is a continuous process. Learning doesn’t conclude in four or five races. He’s still got plenty of ground to cover.”

What is it like to witness such enthusiasm for a young driver, especially here in São Paulo with so many Argentine fans?

“Pride is the first emotion that comes to mind. I’m genuinely proud of Franco. I mean, we’ve obviously been working together for a short while—not as long as I usually would with most young drivers—but for a reasonable period. And I’ve seen him grow tremendously over the last two years. For me, it’s just a well-earned reward for a young man who is delivering exceptional performances, and seeing his fans out there is fantastic. Argentina, as we know, has been through its share of hardship, so this is uplifting for the country. What’s incredible is to see a whole nation rallying around someone iconic who’s doing something remarkable in the sport. So, I would say pride is the overriding feeling.”