The F1 paradox that’s holding Williams back

Alex Albon's committed his long-term future to a Williams team whose 2024 Formula 1 car is much better than its predecessor.
But you wouldn't know from the results that it had improved - if anything the team's in a worse position. We explain why and what Williams is trying to achieve this year.
00:00 The F1 paradox that’s holding Williams back
01:07 Peaky car in 2023
02:17 A consistent car
05:08 Development setbacks
07:04 Reason for hope
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[@broccoliface4501]

Newey should do a "Football Manager" challenge and rejoin Williams for a back-to-front effort

[@purwantiallan5089]

Newey doing tactics from FIFA MANAGER 14 again...😅

[@Jalreal]

Please please please please please

[@tiagoferreira5368]

Newey is to old for that. He will settle for the big money Ferrari offers him. He's not up for a challenge at his age

[@etcarief]

says who, he likes challenge ​@@tiagoferreira5368

[@daweithisisdavidinmandarin6121]

As much as I want him play Fifa 14, the idea of Charles, Lewis, Newy and Ferrari is just to mouthwatering to pass. We need all those 4 together!

[@AlexandreMS71]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="196">3:16</a> - It's insane how small is the gap from first to last, I remember the old 107% rule in the not so old days. Newer fans think the gap is big today, they never saw the time when it was usual for the entire field to be lapped at least one time, except for the 2 first places. Some cars where lapped 3, 4 even more times. Today 1% off the pace is huge.

[@Jalreal]

Formula 1 of yesteryear was a total joke for competition between teams, it was all about competition between the top team's drivers.

[@fabianmok2206]

No surprise since they implemented budget caps and higher individual team revenues

[@silashug3925]

The average Pace compared to RB of Sauber this year would be enough to easily fight for podiums in 2014-2019 for example...

[@fix0the0spade]

The 107% rule is still in place, but it basically never comes up nowadays.

[@AlexandreMS71]

@@fix0the0spade I know but it makes no sense for at least 2 decades.

[@outlawfps3948]

Something worth noting is that Williams also did well last year because the Haas and Alfa were DREADFUL and the alpha tauri was only good past summer break. So the 7th place they earned was inflated for more than just a peaky car.

[@ivandenev1104]

Timing 10/10

[@perpetual_bias]

that's...how.. journalism works

[@purwantiallan5089]

Timing has been ridiculously perfect for Williams obviously.😅

[@wamwanch]

Kinda the point...

[@terranova_ca]

I don't understand, timing for what?

[@perpetual_bias]

@@terranova_ca this video being published within hours of albon's contract extension announcement

[@maxafc4695]

I think this shows why you need points further down, otherwise teams are incentivised to build a car that works really well at a few tracks than one that is decent everywhere. Because 1 10th place is better in the championship than 20 11th's

[@purwantiallan5089]

Consistency is key.

[@Sauceyjames]

Points for the 12th place driver but we can't have more than 10 teams? 😒

[@arba71]

Agree. Top 10 was sensible back in the '00s when half of the grid retired in almost every race. Nowadays the finishing rate is much higher, probably only 2 or 3 DNFs on average. Top 15 points would be a better choice I think.

[@alias19]

Why do they need points? The points-less cars are still ranked on their finishing performances just like every other car. Giving the lower teams points is like the infamous participation trophies. Scoring championship points should be a goal, not a door prize.

[@maxafc4695]

@@arba71 yeah I think F1 should adopt MotoGP 's point distribution

[@ralphhathaway-coley5460]

I think Williams is a bit of a dark horse and Albon consistently under-rated given that their factory infrastructure is so far out of date (due to lack of investment historically) they are consistently overachieving, and due entirely to Albon. Congratulations to Albon and good luck Williams. Imagine if Adrian returned on an advisory capacity (not that I think he will).

[@BarbaricAvatar]

Being more consistant is the right way to go... for a top team. It's completely the wrong way to go for a lower midfield team. The advantage to a tempremental peaky car is that it has its really good days which then set the team up for the following season. With a consistant car you're guaranteed to be around the same level every race, and if that level is 13th place then you're stuck there with no hope of "the next track will suit us better".

[@ehh300]

I'm really excited to see how this long term reboot for Williams and Alex develops, and I think James Vowels is cooking a meal for us in 2026! (I think they are a top 4 team challenging for podiums in 2026) Will see how this ages xD

[@TheOneVLOL]

it's gonna age poorly

[@terrapog8533]

Wow that's bold I strongly disagree but if you somehow get this right good on you I guess

[@Nikelaos_Khristianos]

Yeah yeah, people said that about Mercedes in 2012…

[@GameOver-nm2us]

@@TheOneVLOL you can't say so for sure, millions said Hamilton to Mercedes in 2013 is gonna flop, and we all know what happened after

[@eternal_trashero]

​@@Nikelaos_KhristianosMercedes had many millions to throw at the project.

[@Ceece20]

If only F1 teams were held to the same “competitive” standard they seem to demand of Andretti: be as competitive as Redbull, Mercedes, and Ferrari or GTFO.

[@DaveMurphyEngineer]

Williams are (arguably) the second most successful team in the sport with 9 Constructors titles - they're also joint third in driver's titles won and third in races started. Form is temporary but class is permanent - if only all F1 commenters were held to the same 'short-sighted' standards....

[@Ceece20]

@@DaveMurphyEngineer yeah and it was 2 decades ago. It doesn’t have any relevance now and it doesn’t take away what I said. Andretti is being held to a standard that does not exist in F1 for any team existing now or any team in history. Williams is allowed to flounder as a bottom feeder next to Alpine and Haas, yet Andretti was told specifically they would need to be able to compete with Redbull, Mercedes, and Ferrari from year 1. That was the damn point of the comment. If only all F1 commenters were held to the standard of basic reading comprehension

[@into_the_void]

Newy should join Williams as a challenge... That would be fun to see

[@purwantiallan5089]

Newey turning Williams into a rocketship like X2010 could be very interesting.

[@Jalreal]

Please please please please

[@dwaynehicks6838]

Rejoin Williams , he would would probably never of left them if they gave him what he wanted all them years ago , Williams would probably never have fallen so far and still be winning championships .

[@jimiverson3085]

@@dwaynehicks6838 Sir Frank has died and the family has sold the team, so the players have changed.

[@selder_7]

Even with such a volatile driver market, Albon’s best option would’ve been Alpine if a seat became available. Might as well stick where you’re loved and wait for a better opportunity

[@CountNoobular]

With Carlos turning them down I thought Audi would have been the best choice for him and Audi

[@cwc6632]

Albon just signed with Williams to end of 2026. Guess he knows why...

[@The_ZeroLine]

Alpine is much better, but he’ll have more long term security and be in a leadership role leadership at Williams.

[@AbdulRWatches]

Albon staying at Williams with a multi year deal is perfect for more stability. They need an experienced driver alongside, I think Bottas or Occon would be a perfect fit.

[@into_the_void]

More likely the second seat would go to one of Mercedes young prospects, maybe even Mick Schumacher

[@AbdulRWatches]

@@into_the_void Mick would be a grear addition, but I think Alpinr might need someone with his work ethics in their team.

[@ZZPxFTW]

please not Ocon

[@AbdulRWatches]

@@ZZPxFTW Wolff has a lot of influence at Williams, unfortunately 😅

[@triskeldeian4989]

I think at this point Albon qualifies as experienced

[@daweithisisdavidinmandarin6121]

For some reason, I have a soft spot for Williams. Perhaps it was the late Frank's personality or its innovative origin and early 2000s record. But there is something nice about them. Last year, Albon brought a lot of excitement to the races and it was kind of a neat story. Hopefully, the consistent approach is the way to go and by 2026 we can have a competitive Williams again!

[@joehynes2964]

Lots of teams with upgrades for Imola. Let's all hope for some surprises and a more mixed up grid when the race concludes on Sunday.

[@JackNapier22]

You have Red Bull, Ferrari, MB, McLaren, and Aston. All of them are fighting for the top 10 positions. Then when one of them mess up an RB takes the position. Not much you can really do when there are 6 teams that are considerably quicker.

[@ethanh3375]

The issue they have by making it a more all-round car is that they lose their advantage in the straight. However it is nice to see that they are focusing on the entire season now

[@diederikjournee5580]

Very informative (again). Keep up the good work!

[@alancx523]

Yeah, seems to me that Vowles is getting the engineers used to working on a proper "complete" car design, rather than a "peaky" one, while he strives to get them the tools they need to ultimately produce one. Then once he has got what they need, they are ready to exploit it.

[@tuttutteddy8889]

“20 years behind” and “using excel for car parts” kinda sums up Williams being where they are.

[@jayman81424]

Max, Lando, Charles, Albono....all young drivers staying with their teams long term. Seems team fit is big on the younger drivers.

[@cristi-ef6qf]

This move is more interesting in the red bull seat situation. Sainz might have a chance now.

[@supertouring22]

Toxic seat - Sainz deserves better

[@SanchezS1998]

@@supertouring22whether or not he deserves better, the rumor mill is making it out to seem like he’s hell-bent on being in a winning car (RBR) as opposed to a team that actually wants him (Audi).

[@soundscape26]

As long as he keeps the current performances I think Red Bull will retain Perez. Lineup stability is important in a team full of instability elsewhere.

[@PazLeBon]

@@supertouring22 its a dream seat

[@deabreu.tattoo]

Sainz is gonna be out of a seat if he keeps stalling Audi while waiting for RBR

[@anydaynow01]

Thanks for covering this. F1 is a constructor's championship, the spec race fanbois will never understand that there are multiple battles up and down the grid based on the work from engineers doing actual engineering and not a bunch of tuners with engineering degrees.

[@cwc6632]

Like Andretti.... 😅😅

[@bryan34wable]

There should be a spending allowance clause granted to teams on case by case basis if they can show legit evidence of an infrastructure deficiency to the avg. team. Other wise the spending cap is useless and still hurts lower teams that don’t have the same building infrastructure as larger teams.

[@cwc6632]

So, like falling behind with your car repayments and you get a bonus anyway?

[@bryan34wable]

@@cwc6632 what??? No. What are you talking about? Yes I understand it was Williams own doing be by falling behind over a decade of the technical and development part of the team but with the current spending cap they will never be able to catch up with other team, even if they are able to spend more money. I’m pretty sure this topic has already been brought up in the past.

[@cwc6632]

@bryan34wable So they slept on the job. Not the other teams fault. You snooze, you loose.. What's next? Everybody claiming a deficiency in respect of Red Bull?

[@BAL54321]

2023 Williams gave me hope

[@huwgrossmith9555]

They got the wheel barrow handles back!

[@yawbirak]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="150">2:30</a> 5 out of 11 is NOT generally

[@mustavogaia2655]

good informative article

[@Tomosautchar]

They should do one race a year where the first place driver drives the last place car and vice verse just to see what happens

[@cwc6632]

It's called F1 and not "whacky races"

[@brysonh6507]

RIP to the Williams nascar 😢

[@EJ0107]

Newey to Williams

[@NotSure416]

God, I hope Newey joins Williams.

[@strikehawk5754]

whenever they are in points finish contention K-mag happen

[@1985slipstream]

TLDR jack of all trades is master of none.

[@underSTATEDexcellence]

They ruined their straight line speed which was their strongest point.

[@purple4395]

I hope they invest smartly so they can be at least a good midfield team again.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Or even challenging at the front occasionally.

[@totalmadnesman]

They never will be again. This team has been shit for decades now.

[@purple4395]

@@totalmadnesman well there situation is something very different to a few years ago. With the Williams family there was no way it had any capital and all investments stopped long ago. That's why they have to do so much to catch up. But with Dorilton it's something else.

[@311superfly]

Its about driver using cars tyre's smart at All tracks. . you gotta believe and invest

[@guilhermefonseca1562]

It's interesting that 2 of the 3 biggest players in this silly season (Alonso and Albon) chose to stick with their teams. I wonder if I'm really going to see the amount of changes I thought we would see this year

[@MrReese]

In what world is Albon one of the three biggest players in the silly season? Hamilton, Alonso, Sainz, Perez, possibly even Verstappen are all far above Albon in that regard. What Williams are Albon are doing is not much more than a sidenote.

[@GameOver-nm2us]

@@MrReese Albon is a very good driver, not the same man that did mistakes in 2020, also, Perez? Better tha Albon? Bullshit

[@0Synergy]

​@@MrReeseReebull has admitted multiple times they wanted him back. He absolutely is a key player.

[@MrReese]

@@0Synergy If they wanted him back they would have done it. He is a good driver, but he is a small player in the market compared to several others.

[@Karincl7]

​@@MrReeseperez verstappen and Alonso are not going anywhere

[@The_ZeroLine]

Logan skews the competitive of last year’s car. It was much better overall than it seemed. If they had two Albons, they could have been competing with Alpine. This year, they’re both at the back because Albon can’t do anything with it.

[@WRXMAN-ms2mm]

McLaren has shown what is needed by a customer team running a Mercedes power unit to create a fast “good” car that can podium and now win the odd race for now. Aston did this last year to a lesser extent but only at the beginning of the 2023 season and with no wins. Makes one wonder about the mass and CG of the Mercedes power unit and its influence on car balance with varying fuel load. And how it can be aerodynamically packaged. The redesigned Honda unit that powered Max to his 2021 championship transitioned so nicely into the new downforce generation car. All the experts continually discuss how minor variations severely impact downforce cars. Regardless Williams yardstick for success is both McLaren and Aston. Mercedes shouldn’t get snubbed either because they have faired infinitely better than Williams. But they are not a customer team.

[@mannoxv8500]

F1 games have taught me, speed maxing and making a straight line demon is better for getting results

[@cwc6632]

Your games are not the real world...

[@huwgrossmith9555]

They need to dig out the old Newey drawings!

[@PazLeBon]

he may end up there, i thikhe will want to be in england

[@huwgrossmith9555]

@@PazLeBon He will retire to his Yacht according to EJ. That said there have to some some clues as to what Williams are getting wrong in those old AN drawings.

[@PazLeBon]

@@huwgrossmith9555 maybe ;)

[@shredderbarry]

Their main issue is that they're competing with 1 driver capable of getting points and they're spending their lives fixing parts instead of developing new ones.

[@cwc6632]

Getting rid of Logan would be logic...

[@richardvowler1109]

Along is much happier there and he's been able to show his skill

[@XDRONIN]

Williams should really consider HAAS as an example of what they need to do, especially with their drivers

[@Morcap]

That truth of life - "Take one step backward so you can move 2 steps forward" -, is true in one single condition; Time (timeframe). If you take a step backward right now now you have a maximum time allocation to make the ''two steps forward'' as everything in nature revolves around time. Thus any step backward must be followed by a forward motion in faster timeframe than allocation. Otherwise there will no ''two steps forward'' once the timeframe is redundant. The problem(s) Williams face is the timeframe allocation; they are simply too slow in moving forward compare to other teams. Just a thought.

[@cwc6632]

You tried to sound clever and failed...

[@JF-wz2ls]

The problem is that for 2026 there is a whole new formula, meaning everyone starts over and there is the greatest amount of divergence between the teams. F1 claims to want parity, but in the end every new formula means less parity until the back markers catch up, and then another new formula starts the cycle all over again. This isn't all a strange coincidence.

[@facts3221]

I love Williams, I play them in F1 manager and work them back to championships. Beautiful past, time for a beautiful future.

[@cwc6632]

Ask Vowles for a job...

[@eclypse1259]

It’s just karma for Sargeant getting shafted by the team for Albon’s F up earlier in the season.

[@cwc6632]

Didn't he F himself often enough?

[@RbNetEngr]

Maybe Adrian Newey will re-join Williams and help them get back to the top

[@51madmitch]

There is performance, if we can extract it we can score points, wow that statement must cover all but Redbull, honestly is that worth repeating lol.

[@PazLeBon]

Be much better when Newey is there :)

[@dannyshoinz]

Perfect timing 😂

[@karman79]

Never understood why Sergaent was kept. He must have a good sponsor.

[@deedas]

I was MIA from the internet for a couple days. I'm shocked Albono chose a team that won't have a hope to be competitive for another 4-6 years. But then again, it was either Williams or a one-year at Merc with nothing guaranteed for 2026. So, I guess I'm not too shocked.

[@chad1411]

it doesn't really make sense to make a more consistent car with lower peaks and higher lows, for a team in the back of the field group. the amount of points scored by these teams across the season is so minimal that you only need a handful of decent points scores like they had last season and you can leap up the order. consistency scoring points matters when you're fighting at the front

[@GIOGS]

Probably doesn’t help williams that half of their usable data is in the barriers most weekends

[@Nikoxion]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="196">3:16</a> 100,003%

[@teenybopper777]

The Williams car last year was an example of how teams at the back could be better off going all-in on a specific strength of their car, rather than trying to design an all-rounder that is extremely unlikely to match at least 5 teams on those terms

[@BoyeeSmudger]

Still cannot believe they ran everything off from Excel spreadsheets. Bonkers

[@cwc6632]

....probably still on Windows XP....??

[@BoyeeSmudger]

​@@cwc6632haha nah, MS stopped supporting that a few years back. Surely not!?

[@Alex_Mac_]

Logan has made gains this season that he isn't being given enough credit for.

[@yindyamarra]

Hope bottas goes there next year, be great team with albon

[@Karincl7]

No no no rookie time not an oldtimer in that Williams

[@IanLoughead]

Williams should be using Logan at this point to test out setups and race strategies ands let Albon focus on points. Logan in that car is not going to find points with any regularity (if at all) but he could be a useful team player like Kevin at Haas has become.

[@cwc6632]

I think Logan is as useful as Kevin.... Hart...

[@stevenwork95]

I hope Albon can help pull Williams up the grid.

[@johnbarker5009]

I love it when The Race explains how Williams is actually a good team that gets bad results.

[@cwc6632]

WTF, dude, you're right! 😂😂😂

[@joaoalmeida9264]

Thats why they need adrian newey!!

[@mauriziofonti7545]

Smart guy..no need to climb..better to lock a seat and enjoy!

[@Lamalas]

Yet more proof that points down to 15th or so instead of just the top 10 would be better.

[@damianclark2080]

They will rise again

[@givemeabreak8784]

Andretti should buy Williams.

[@dinocharlie1]

I don't know what they're smoking but you definitely want a peaky car when fighting for scraps. I'd rather a car that finishes dead last consistently but wins one race than a car that gets exactly 10th all season. The only time it's better to be consistent is fighting for podiums/top 5s and there's almost no way this chassis is ever getting to that point even if every bit of development is the right way. It feels like more of a gamble to rely on a McLaren level upgrade that they don't forsee coming than remain peaky and at least get points here and there.

[@purwantiallan5089]

I hope Albon's contract extension boosted Williams's result in 2024.

[@McRocket]

Ummm ...I don't think you mentioned how overweight the car (supposedly) is once. Strange. ☮

[@rofalmatt]

go alex and williams :D

[@yahyarajaee5883]

Hearing about "development setbacks" makes you wonder if Andretti would really do a worse job if they joined.

[@cwc6632]

Yes, they would do a worse job. Andretti never designed a car they raced.

[@bighammer3464]

Ahh so they caaaaan be good if only they were faster. Great philosophy Williams

[@urbanstrencan]

I think he made right choice

[@CosmicSeeker69]

My big Q is: Does Alex know something we don't - or, does he accept he can't get the second Merc seat and has no better options than where he is?

[@chadwickstephen]

Part of me was kinda hoping we would see Alex in the other Mercedes seat.

[@vannustube]

hm. 'peaky' might be better for getting sponsorship money as you can show you are getting into Q3. consistent is good when it is consistently getting into Q3. not so good if it is never getting into Q3.

[@pauls5745]

Yeah no consistency, but you can't say Logan is getting the most out of the Williams to help the car's development

[@shitoryu8]

Idk, something about James tells me this team is still on the right track.

[@BigBampot]

Williams is a great environment for Albon

[@CosmicSeeker69]

Erratic chassis performance - What other car on the grid is that like???

[@CosmicSeeker69]

ohh, hang on - which team was Toto a major share holder in ?? ohh, hang on - which team was Vowles a senior member of ??

[@adamb2619]

Its dealings with Toto and Mercedes need to break away.

[@JGrayUSA]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="181">3:01</a> Logan Sargent did not SIT OUT of the Aussie GP. Call it what it is. He was benched.

[@BeneathTHeaveans]

So he sat out?

[@yellow_x522]

@@BeneathTHeaveans He got pushed out.

[@Karincl7]

Logical

[@RatchetGamingNation]

Also like the cheeky comment about Daniel Ricciardo "crashing into Albon" even though the Suzuka incident was entirely Albon's fault. The journalistic biases are showing pretty heavy in this video.

[@BeneathTHeaveans]

@@RatchetGamingNation if Ricciardo looked in his mirrors it never would have happened

[@ebdbdave]

If Williams had a better driver for the second seat, they would’ve scored at least one point this year

[@John-sw2mo]

Sargent just isn't getting it done.

[@dbiker207]

The problem with F1 is the rule set. The cost cap is ok but, teams should be able to spend the money HOWEVER they see fit. If they want to spend more time in the tunnel then they should be able to. If they want to develop 20 engines a season they should be able to. If they want to rent a track and spend weeks on it, they should be able to. The current rule set makes it nearly impossible to move up the grid. This used to be an engineering race and it has gotten away from its roots. Fucking bureaucrats have gotten their hands on it and ruined it.

[@michaelredford5389]

More than ever, the teams at the back are relying on misfortune for the top 5 teams, who have a lock out of the top 10 in normal circumstances (Lance Stroll pending)

[@iamalazydog]

I’m sorry but it’s time for Sargent to go and get Bottas back experience and race winner driver with development skills is what Williams need can’t depend on one driver to carry the team.

[@isocuda]

But Andretti and GM wouldn't be a good addition.

[@raytrevor1]

Seems to be a lot of wishful thinking here. Instead of an inconsistent car that sometimes did well, they now have a car that is consistently poor. But it could be, might be, better in the future - or not.

[@MuhammadNiz007]

Pin this comment because Williams will have a huge upgrade in Austria to Hungary time span A upgrade package that is so big that it will genuinely be able to fight top 2-5 teams if they remain static which is impossible but that just gives you an idea about the jump they are about to make. Crashes cost money which results in delay of upgrades but it doesn't change the development as that's practically free from any cost cap limitations

[@cwc6632]

Ok, I pinned it under "forgettable"

[@jasonwishart6800]

Needs 2 drivers

[@sarifsamudra9970]

William must Copy What Ducati in Motogp development Just Focuse in Straight Speed make car goes to 400mph so they can wins even decrease 10-50 on corner they can become poidium not back mark team

[@BaysideStraw]

Logan may not be as fast as Albon during quali, but he is doing okay in the race and moving forward. Albon is also destroying car after car due to driver error. Logan is getting a bad reputation because his team just doesn't believe he can do the job they hired him for.

[@T_Mo271]

So the Williams has lost its straight-line speed advantage, and now it's just bad everywhere, and they don't understand how to fix it.

[@FoxMrD_1]

How is this paradoxical? The easiest way of being consistent is to be consistently slow. Being consistent in isolation is not a desirable goal. You want to be consistently FAST, otherwise you can do like Sargent, just consistently end up on the wall. Your results will be consistent, consistently unsatisfactory.

[@Gamertrix117]

In reality, nice guy but no real other options to stay on the grid. Everyone looks good against his current teammate.

[@alanhillyard1639]

Who gives a shit if its less peaky if its not delivering results. Most teams would be aiming to deliver the best possible results against the resources available, and for a team as low as williams designing a car that can occasionally be brilliant is much better than being a bit less mediocre all the time 🤷🏼‍♂️