Williams Solves Wind Woes with FW47 Breakthrough

For years, Williams F1 has struggled with wind sensitivity, a problem that has often left its drivers battling unpredictable handling in changing conditions. But with the FW47, that issue might finally be a thing of the past.

Albon Feels the Difference

Alex Albon is optimistic about the progress Williams has made. After extensive pre-season testing, including runs at Silverstone and Bahrain, he believes the team has taken a major step forward.

“Looking at last year compared to now, we’ve done two shakedowns and three days of testing. Even early on, the car already felt better in windy conditions,” Albon explained.

The Bahrain International Circuit, known for its gusty conditions, was the perfect place to evaluate these improvements. And so far, the FW47 has handled the challenge well.

“There’s still a slight balance shift in corners, but compared to last year, we really struggled with the wind. That’s something we’ve worked on a lot this season,” Albon added. “Bahrain gave us more wind than expected, and the car held up well. So, there are good signs that we’ve finally put this issue behind us.”

Williams’ Comeback After a Tough 2024

Last season was far from easy for Williams. A radical shift in car concept and a complete overhaul of its production process led to delays in launching the FW46. The car started overweight, and despite efforts to shed excess mass mid-season, crashes and setbacks slowed the team’s progress. Eventually, Williams slipped to ninth in the Constructors’ Championship.

But 2025 looks different. F1 testing has placed Williams right in the midfield fight, with Alpine and Haas even considering them a top-five contender. McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, was also impressed by what he saw from the FW47.

Albon acknowledges the team is in a much better place than a year ago but remains realistic.

“We know what we need to work on. There are new things—new software, new areas of focus—that have slightly changed the car’s balance,” he said. “Overall, the car is in a much stronger position than last year. There are still a few areas where we’re getting caught out, but nothing we can’t fix. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves with top-five predictions just yet!”

With a more competitive car and newfound stability in challenging conditions, Williams is ready to fight for its place in the midfield—and maybe even surprise a few rivals along the way.