Williams boss calls Baku upgrade a small step forward

Williams team principal James Vowles said the team’s new Azerbaijan Grand Prix package had delivered a small step forward but had not yet brought the car to the level needed to compete more closely with the midfield. The update, introduced in Baku on Thursday, includes a new floor and a lighter chassis alongside aerodynamic changes. Its effect on Williams’s competitive position remains uncertain. Vowles described the package as directionally right and said it provided a foundation for development toward 2027. He cautioned that more running was needed to assess its impact, noting that the midfield is closely packed and that early results can be difficult to interpret. He also said Williams had fallen behind this season and would continue to feel the effects of shortcomings in its systems and capabilities during the transition to the 2026 regulations. The revised car also features changes to the tail geometry, front corners, suspension cladding and rear brake-duct components. Technical descriptions of the package identify a lighter chassis as a major element, though no measured figure for the weight reduction has been provided.