Williams Confident in Championship Potential of Albon and Sainz

Williams team principal James Vowles has expressed confidence in the championship-winning potential of drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. Despite a tough 2026 season, Vowles is clear that the blame doesn't rest with the drivers.

The team had high hopes for the 2026 season, aiming for regular podium finishes as new regulations kicked in, but reality has been less kind. As they look towards 2027, Williams will stick with Albon and Sainz for a third consecutive season. When asked about his satisfaction with this pairing, Vowles told Sky F1, “Yeah, as I’ve said all the way through the lineup we have.”

Vowles went a step further, recalling a conversation with Martin Brundle, stating, “It’s a driver lineup that can win championships, and I remember Martin’s eyebrows went out. I still mean it. I absolutely believe that they are not holding us back today. They are leaders. They are from championship teams. They know how to win races and be on the podium. We need to provide a car that brings them to that level. But I’m incredibly happy with Alex and Carlos.”

Both drivers have indeed tasted success with top teams. Albon, however, was dropped by Red Bull in 2020, staying on as a reserve driver while Max Verstappen went on to win the championship that year. Albon boasts two podium finishes, while Verstappen secured two wins and nine additional podiums in the same machinery.

Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, is a proven race winner, though his stint at Ferrari was cut short when Lewis Hamilton sought a new challenge. While Sainz's race-winning credentials are undeniable, calling Ferrari a 'championship team' during his tenure might be a stretch, given their title drought since 2008.

Looking ahead to 2027, Vowles is cautious about setting expectations too high but remains optimistic. “We turn up at every event with the motivation, drive, and passion that we had early in the season to score every point possible,” he explained. “What I’m more indicating is it’s just a much harder task now, but it doesn’t mean that the team isn’t motivated. Actually, I’d be surprised if you didn’t look round and find people actually surprisingly in good spirits. They can see what’s coming in the future, but our goal still to the end of the season is to make sure that our last point scored wasn’t a few races ago.”