![\"Williams](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/XPB_1326641_HiRes.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJames Vowles says he was fearful he could lose both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz at Williams. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJames Vowles says he was fearful he could lose both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz at Williams. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Williams has endured a major downturn after finishing fifth in the constructors\u2019 championship last season, slipping towards the rear of the field under the new regulations.<\/p>\n
Vowles admitted that regression created a genuine risk of losing two drivers he believes are capable of fighting at the front.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was concerned about losing both, because they are world championship material drivers that deserve the opportunity to be fighting for podiums or more, and we haven\u2019t delivered that,\u201d Vowles said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you look to the outside, I hope there\u2019s no doubt that we\u2019ve been slowly stepping forward, with last being a blip, but a step in the right direction, so for us to move backwards isn\u2019t just a surprise to the drivers; it is a surprise to everyone, and that would always create a risk that you lose them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sainz joined Williams from Ferrari at the beginning of 2025 and scored two grand prix podiums during his first season at Grove, while Albon has been central to the team\u2019s rebuild since returning to F1 in 2022.<\/p>\n
Vowles said the response of both drivers to Williams\u2019 struggles only strengthened his desire to keep them, particularly their willingness to support the wider team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019m thankful for is the moment when we had problems; they stood by our side,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t finger-pointing; it was actually: \u2018Tell me what I can do,\u2019 and they both came into the factory and spoke to the whole organisation and gave them a lift.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarlos and Alex did the same; they re-signed, and they wanted to make sure that they were here with the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vowles added that retaining the pair provides crucial stability as Williams continues its wider transformation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, it\u2019s vitally important,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re going through what we\u2019re doing at the moment, which is large transformations, large swathes of big changes, the stability that Carlos and Alex provide is huge.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex has obviously been there since \u201922. He wants this project to be successful, but having Carlos there by our side as we go through that is vitally important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vowles said the impact of both deals had already been noticeable inside the factory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a weight lifted off it this week as a result of [the re-signings], and I\u2019ve seen them [the factory] move forward at a much faster pace as a result,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the belief is real and tangible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Williams boss also praised Sainz for maintaining the same approach despite the team\u2019s struggles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I start with Carlos, he is immensely good. His attitude and approach doesn\u2019t change irrespective of whether he\u2019s fighting for 18th or a podium, and that\u2019s quite unique,\u201d Vowles added.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s just driven by constant performance improvements. Fundamentally, that is what you need to be driving yourselves forward with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vowles said Albon continued to provide perspective from his longer spell with the team as Williams worked through its latest setback.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey bring different aspects to it, but both are a strength,\u201d Vowles said.<\/p>\n
The team has started its Dutch Grand Prix weekend off the pace, with Albon qualifying 16th and Sainz 18th for the sprint race.<\/p>\n