Vowles shares upgrade plan after being 'impressed' by rivals

Williams is facing a challenging 2026 season as the team works to overcome a difficult start, including missing pre-season shakedowns and fielding an overweight car. Currently sitting eighth in the standings, Team Principal James Vowles addressed the team's ongoing development efforts ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Vowles confirmed that significant upgrades are planned for the FW48, with a major performance package expected by the time the team reaches the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. He highlighted that while incremental updates will appear at Silverstone and beyond, the team's aggressive development program will continue through the summer break to close the gap to rivals like Racing Bulls and Audi. In addition to aerodynamic improvements, the team has been working to resolve chassis balance issues that have affected driver performance. Recent factory testing and simulator work have helped diagnose differences in handling between corner directions, with the team implementing immediate adjustments to optimize tire usage and vehicle stability for the upcoming races.