As Formula 1 heads into a new era, James Vowles has revealed that Williams‘ bid for a 2026 title fight remains hindered by its current facilities.
Williams continues its long-standing partnership with Mercedes into F1’s next era this season.
While the relationship provides stability ahead of the new rules, Vowles is under no illusions about where Williams currently stands in comparison to its power unit supplier.
Vowles emphasised the strong confidence in his former team’s ability to thrive under a regulation reset, highlighting Mercedes’ previous proven history in such transitions, namely the shift to the Turbo-Hybrid era in 2014.
“100 per cent, if Brackley is very good at one thing, it’s regulation change,” Vowles said.
“I think that’s clear. And Mercedes are very good at it as well.”
Williams finished last season as best of the rest, with a fifth-place finish in the Constructors’ standings, in stark contrast to their ninth-place finish just the year before in 2024.
However, Vowles acknowledged that the team does not yet possess the infrastructure required to compete at the front of the field.
“I’ve done everything we have to do to keep growing this team to be at a championship level in the future, but we do not have the facilities or the capability of Mercedes.
“It’s as simple as that today,” he explained.
Vowles believes Mercedes is in a different league to Williams in 2026
Realistic goals for Williams in 2026
James Vowles outlined the contrasting approaches between Williams and their power unit supplier, Mercedes. The Briton believes the Brackley-based team can concentrate almost entirely on mastering the regulations.
Because of this, he believes Williams must set realistic expectations and continue to rebuild their team behind the scenes before setting their sights on a title fight.
“So whilst they’ve (Mercedes) been preparing pretty much just by ironing out the regulations and getting it right, what I’ve been doing is more laying more of a groundwork on top of trying to focus some time on the 2026 car, ” he said.
This disparity between the second and fifth place finishers leads Vowles to believe this will impact early 2026 running.
“So what you can read into that is I know where it will rank out next year,” Vowles said.
“And they will be, I’m sure, very strong.”
Despite this, Vowles remains confident in the teams ability to challenge the front runners more consistently in coming seasons. Thus, setting realistic smaller goals each year for the team.
“I’m okay with that.
“My goal is to move this team forward step on step each year. And I think we have the capability.”
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