# Williams Racing performance recovery efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/williams-racing-performance-recovery-efforts
> Updated: 2026-09-20T12:00:04.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Williams Racing has been working to address performance declines in the FW48 car. Driver Carlos Sainz initially proposed using the Monza and Madrid races as experimental laboratories to test ideas “outside of our comfort zone” to combat inconsistencies in car components.

To support these efforts, the team appointed Piers Thynne as Director of Optimization and Planning to restructure production processes. Following these strategic shifts, Team Principal James Vowles announced that the team will introduce an upgrade package at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. These updates are intended to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce the car’s weight to help the team return to the points-scoring zone.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Williams Racing to introduce FW48 upgrades at Azerbaijan GP

Williams Racing plans to introduce aerodynamic and weight-reduction upgrades for the FW48 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to improve competitiveness.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/williams-racing-to-introduce-fw48-upgrades-at-azerbaijan-gp

### 2026-08-25: Williams Racing seeks performance recovery through experimentation and structural changes

Carlos Sainz suggests Williams Racing use the Monza and Madrid Grands Prix as testing grounds to address FW48 performance issues ahead of a major upgrade in Baku, while Piers Thynne joins to lead structural re-

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/williams-racing-seeks-performance-recovery-through-experimentation-and-structural-changes

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Cite as: Williams Racing performance recovery efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/williams-racing-performance-recovery-efforts