Williams is gearing up for significant changes in its 2024 Formula 1 season with a three-pronged upgrade plan, while already setting sights on 2025.
The Grove-based team faced challenges in 2024 after creating a car aimed at versatility. Unfortunately, this new design, unlike the 2023 model that excelled on low-downforce tracks, hasn’t performed well on any circuit.
Team boss James Vowles explained that Williams aims to improve aerodynamics, suspension, and weight, targeting areas that have been problematic this season. He hopes the updates will push Williams back into points contention.
“We have updates coming up this summer break – I hope in Zandvoort and I hope again in Baku or the race after Baku which is Singapore,” said Vowles in Spa. He emphasized the importance of these updates for better performance.
Despite the mid-season focus on upgrades, Vowles revealed that the team’s design efforts have already shifted towards 2025. The 2025 car has been in the wind tunnel for months, aligning with the squad’s forward-looking strategy.
“We’re also investing in 25, so our car in the wind tunnel is not the 2024 car, it’s been the 2025 one for quite a few months,” he explained. “The reason why we’re doing this is not because I believe in 2025, but I want to get the 2026 car in the tunnel as soon as possible.”
This shift represents a major change for Williams, which typically focused on short-term development. Vowles admitted it took time for the team to adapt to this new multi-year focus. He noted that other teams like Mercedes and Red Bull already employ such strategies.
As Williams navigates this transformative period, the fans will be eagerly watching to see if these changes bring the desired improvements on the track. The upcoming races will be critical in determining the effectiveness of the summer updates.
Williams’ ambitious upgrade plan and future-focused strategy mark a significant turning point for the team. With eyes set on 2025 and beyond, the coming months will reveal if these efforts can revive their competitive edge.
