Williams F1 team’s 2026 struggles persist as Alex Albon doubts Baku upgrade

Alex Albon Williams Racing FW48 Baku upgrade 2026 season

Williams Racing has endured a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, scoring only 11 points in the first 11 races and sitting ninth in the drivers' standings, just ahead of Aston Martin and Cadillac. Driver Alex Albon described the FW48 as overweight, badly balanced and prone to “under‑driving”, which masks his true performance.

Albon said the planned upgrade package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku will not cure the car’s fundamental issues, noting that much of the work targets next year’s car rather than a quick fix. Team boss James Vowles remains defiant, but Albon and teammate Carlos Sainz expressed little optimism about a turnaround in the second half of the season. The team also missed a private shakedown in January, further hampering development as they head into a summer shutdown.

Entities

Alex Albon · Baku Grand Prix · Carlos Sainz · James Vowles · Williams Racing

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Williams is ninth in the 2026 drivers' standings, just above Aston Martin and Cadillac. www.crash.net
[● 2 SOURCES] The FW48 car is overweight and suffers from severe balance problems. www.intensemans.fr · motorcyclesports.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] Williams entered the new technical era trailing from the outset. motorcyclesports.net
[● 2 SOURCES] Williams has scored 11 points in the first 11 races of the 2026 Formula 1 season. www.intensemans.fr · motorcyclesports.net
[● 3 SOURCES] Williams plans a major upgrade for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in September 2026. www.intensemans.fr · motorcyclesports.net · www.crash.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] James Vowles is the team boss of Williams Racing. www.crash.net
[● 3 SOURCES] Alex Albon says the upcoming Baku upgrade package will not cure the car's issues. www.intensemans.fr · motorcyclesports.net · www.crash.net
[● 2 SOURCES] Williams missed the private shakedown in January 2026. www.intensemans.fr · motorcyclesports.net

Sources

Alex Albon: Williams ha un futuro grigio nel 2026, ma Vowles non si arrende - Ilcorrierino. com [www.ilcorrierino.com]

6 days ago

Alex Albon admet que les améliorations de Williams F1 ne seront pas une solution miracle - IntenseMans. fr [www.intensemans.fr]

7 days ago

Alex Albon admits Williams upgrades at Baku won’t fix 2026 struggles [motorcyclesports.net]

7 days ago

Alex Albon offers grim Williams outlook as boss James Vowles issues defiant message [www.crash.net]

6 days ago