Vowles: Williams using ‘sticking plasters’ to fix FW47 balance flaws

Williams team principal James Vowles has admitted the team is battling a fundamental balance problem with its FW47, and will only be able to apply "a series of sticking plasters" to manage the issue during the current Formula 1 season.

The team has made a strong start to the year, scoring 19 points across the first four rounds — already surpassing its points haul from the entirety of last season's record 24-race calendar.

Despite the promising results, both Alex Albon and new signing Carlos Sainz have encountered persistent handling difficulties, particularly in slower corners.

Sainz hinted at the issue during last time out in Saudi Arabia but deferred full disclosure pending a conversation with Vowles. When asked to elaborate, the Williams chief provided a clear assessment of the challenges facing the team.

"We have some characteristics in the car that are still not at the right level," Vowles told the media in Jeddah, quoted by RacingNews365.

"I don't think we have the balance that we should have for the drivers, and we're a little bit cornered on some of the tools that we're using at the moment."

Albon and Sainz on the Same Page

Vowles emphasized that both Willimas drivers are closely aligned in their feedback, offering clear direction for the team to work from.

"The great thing about Carlos is that both he and Alex are aligned on their thought process, so we have good direction," he said.

"You get a problem when both drivers are, or even one is using it as a tool to distract. We're not. Both are very clear on where the problems are."

Although some improvements can be made this year, Vowles warned that a complete fix will require a more fundamental redesign, likely tied to longer-term developments aimed at the 2026 regulation overhaul.

"I think [there are] some elements that we can bring in line this year. Some of it, however, is a different direction that we need to take for the future," he said.

"So, answering the question, why is it a problem? I think our balance is just not where it needs to be for the drivers to get the most out of the car, and it's a difficult car to drive."

Limited Fixes and a Long-Term View

With Williams already shifting focus to the 2026 regulation overhaul, Vowles tempered expectations for a complete resolution in 2025.

“My feeling is that we’ll be able to scratch it, but not fix it,” he said.

“I think we have a series of sticking plasters we can put on it now. That’s already a good thing, because it means that inherently, we are touching the right element of things.

• Read also: Sainz and Albon joined forces to secure Williams points haul

'We’re pulling the right strings, and that for fixing it, we need to make sure we’re fixing absolutely the right element.”

“But I do not think we can inherently fix it in 2025.”

Despite the limitations, Vowles remains optimistic about the team’s direction, with Albon and Sainz providing clear feedback to guide development.

For now, Williams must rely on incremental adjustments to maximize the FW47’s potential, while setting its sights on a more robust solution for future seasons.

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