How Did Williams Go From Backmarkers To Point Scorers?

The 2024 season began in familiar turmoil for Williams, hindered by a heavy car and sluggish performance, with points frustratingly out of reach until the Monaco Grand Prix. Fast forward to Azerbaijan, and the once-struggling team celebrated both drivers finishing in the points. However, this transformation didn't happen overnight. It was a result of chiseling away at their weaknesses, making methodical, incremental changes race after race, and turning a disastrous weekend at Zandvoort into a springboard for steady progress. From the back of the pack, Williams has clawed their way into the midfield. But how exactly did this turnaround unfold?

Early Rounds

Despite success in trimming the chassis weight, delays in production forced the team to take conservative measures elsewhere, leaving the car heavier than anticipated at the beginning of the season. It cost the Grove-based outfit around 0.45 seconds per lap. Overheating, electronic issues, and low power further plagued their performance.

The early rounds were marked by sluggish performances and logistical setbacks. In Australia, Albon's FP1 crash caused significant chassis damage, forcing him to withdraw. With no spare chassis available, the team had to make a difficult decision and switched Albon into Logan Sargeant's car for the remainder of the weekend.

Sargeant, though gracious, found himself in a position no driver desires. He said , "This is the hardest moment I can remember in my career, and it's absolutely not easy. I am, however, completely here for the team and will continue to contribute in any way that I can this weekend to maximise what we can do."

Team Principal, James Vowles, acknowledged these difficulties. "It is a reflection of how behind we were in the winter period and an illustration of why we need to go through significant change in order to get ourselves in a better position for the future...While Logan should not have to suffer from a mistake that he did not make, every race counts when the midfield is tighter than ever, so we have made the call based on our best potential to score points this weekend," said Vowles.

Major Technical Upgrades

The turning point of the season came after the summer break at Zandvoort. Williams rolled out what Alex Albon called their "first proper upgrade" of 2024. The FW46 donned a comprehensive package including a new diffuser, sidepod inlet, engine cover, central air intake, and floor body at the Dutch Grand Prix, as they sought to climb the midfield order.

Albon's car, though promising in speed, fell foul of the regulations. His impressive P8 qualifying result was wiped away when the FIA found that the floor of his car breached technical regulations, ruling it "outside the regulatory volume," relegating him to the back of the grid for the race. Albon and Williams did not contest the FIA's measurements but expressed disappointment, noting discrepancies between their own data and that of the governing body.

Though the upgraded FW46 showed flashes of its potential, the penalty clouded what could have been a breakthrough weekend for the team. Still, the qualifying session was a clear indicator that the upgrades were steering them in the right direction, showing potential despite the setback.

The upgrades began to pay off in the high top-speed, low drag track of Monza, with Albon scoring points.

Driver Lineup Shakeup

Williams had entered 2024 with the familiar pairing of Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon. Sargeant, however, struggled to keep pace with his teammate, his performance patchy, the pressure mounting with every missed opportunity. The Zandvoort crash—one of many—would be his last with the team, flames engulfing his car as the Williams crew watched on in disbelief. With nine races remaining on the calendar, Sargeant was replaced by Williams Academy driver Franco Colapinto at the Italian Grand Prix.

"To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season," said Vowles.

Colapinto's arrival brought fresh energy to Williams. He quickly proved that he could challenge even his seasoned teammate Alex Albon. In only his second race, in the twisty streets of Baku, Colapinto finished eighth right behind Albon, together scoring 10 points for the Grove-based outfit.

His performance was so impressive that it fueled speculation about his future in Formula 1, particularly with a potential seat at Sauber for 2025.

"From our perspective, Franco is an incredible driver on the grid that is proving himself against Alex, who is a benchmark driver," said the Briton. "From their perspective, if they wanted to, we'd be open to conversations around it. It's for them to decide, it's their decision for 2025 and beyond, but from my perspective, I think he'd be a very valuable asset," said Vowles.

Vowles' Leadership

Appointed as Team Principal in 2023, James Vowles brought a wealth of experience, including his time as chief strategist at Brawn and his 12-year tenure at Mercedes from Chief Strategist to Motorsport Strategy Director. He played a significant role in Mercedes' dominance during the turbo-hybrid era. However, it's not simply his priceless experience and the nine F1 Constructors' Championships he's been pivotal to securing that he brought to Williams, but also his vision. His leadership wasn't just about overseeing technical changes but about cultivating a new mentality—a belief that Williams could once again be contenders, not just participants.

Vowles' quiet confidence rippled through the organization. His transparent 'The Vowles' Verdict' videos, aimed at engaging fans, reflect his leadership ethos of clarity and unity.

With his ethos, the atmosphere in Grove has shifted. No longer was the team content with the occasional top-ten finish; they expected it. And his vision doesn't stop there. He expects Williams to fight at the front of the grid in 2028. "I think if you ask me to commit to a date, I would have said more '28, but I think the point is we should be on the right journey to get towards there as well," said Vowles.

From early-season setbacks to breakthroughs in Zandvoort and Baku, the signing of Franco Colapinto, and adjustments to the culture of the team, Williams has undergone several profound changes. And there's still more to come. With Carlos Sainz arriving in 2025, the tale of revival is not over yet.

"The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity," said Sainz.

Vowles echoed this optimism. "In '25, I think we will have the best driver lineup on the grid. I mean, Franco's doing a brilliant job. What he doesn't have is the experience that Carlos will come with, but he's doing an outstanding job."

Further, Franco Colapinto has impressed with consistent points finishes, and if he stays as a reserve, Williams will retain a driver with valuable race experience.

The tweaks made here and there have begun to culminate into something much larger. The momentum is undeniable, and Williams' prospects are soaring; their revival is no longer a distant dream. Their progress may be steady, but the pursuit is deliberate, with a vision that extends far beyond the immediate gains. As the groundwork begins to solidify, it seems that Williams' resurgence to the front of the grid is well underway.