Williams experiences another bitter qualifying session: Team Principal James Vowles understands the drivers’ frustration—the car is clearly too heavy At the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, Williams’ difficult start to the season continues. Both cars once again failed to advance past the first qualifying session. Alexander Albon was particularly frustrated, finding only one word to say over the radio after his elimination. “Terrible,” the Thai driver shouted at his team.
Team principal James Vowles understands his driver’s reaction. Williams is currently struggling with fundamental issues with the new car. According to Vowles, a key factor is the car’s excessive weight. “Alex is right: it’s frustrating,” Vowles told Sky.
Development was repeatedly delayed over the winter. “It got later and later, and we didn’t do a good job there.” According to experts, the car’s excess weight is costing them massive performance. In the paddock, the figure being mentioned is around 28 kilograms—a difference that can amount to about one second per lap.
Vowles doesn’t want to confirm the exact number, but he admits that the problem is significant. “We have excess weight on the car. By how much, I don’t want to reveal at this time,” he says.
At least Williams is already working on solutions. According to Vowles, there is an aggressive development program to gradually improve the car. “We know what we need to do,” explains the team principal. However, it will take time for the measures to take effect.
For Albon, the current situation is particularly frustrating because many changes have so far failed to bring about any improvement. “Some strange things are happening in the car,” says the Thai driver after qualifying. The team tried numerous setup changes over the course of the weekend without achieving the desired effect.
According to Albon, the problem isn’t just the car’s weight. “We can’t hide behind the weight,” he explains. In addition to being overweight, Williams is also struggling with balance issues and a lack of downforce.
The engineers even tried out extreme setup variations in China. In the Sprint, Albon started from the pit lane to test new settings. “We’re venturing into areas we’ve never been before,” he says. But so far, nothing has really worked.
Teammate Carlos Sainz is trying to stay optimistic despite the difficult situation: “You’re trying to make me depressed in the second race,” the Spaniard jokes in response to a question on the matter. Instead, he wants to focus on small steps forward. “Otherwise, the year will be very long”
Sainz knows, however, that the situation could remain difficult: “I have to focus on small victories, otherwise the year will be very long,” he says. With the current package, he says, it’s extremely difficult to even make it into Q2.
Sainz does not see the Mercedes power unit or its performance as a weak point. “The power unit is P1 in every session,” he explains. The focus must therefore be on weight reduction and aerodynamic improvements.
Vowles also acknowledges that the situation is tough right now. “These qualifying sessions are painful because we’re simply not where we want to be,” he said. Nevertheless, an extensive work program has already been launched.
Williams is therefore trying to look ahead despite the setbacks. “There is a program that will bring substantial changes,” explains Vowles. Until then, however, the team must use every session to get the most out of the current car—even if the road back to the midfield is likely to take some time.