James Vowles defends the early development freeze on the 2023 car, despite Williams currently being in danger of losing seventh place to AlphaTauri
Williams still has to worry about its seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship two races before the end of the season. Although the traditional British racing team currently still has a seven-point lead over AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s junior team has made another big leap forward with an update and has always scored good points in the last three races.
Williams, on the other hand, have been relying on the same package for some time and could still suffer for it this year: “We stopped working on our car many months ago. This could mean that we risk losing our seventh place in the championship,” says Team Principal James Vowles.
However, the Brit is happy to take this risk, as he explains in a video on the team’s website. “I’m very happy with the decision,” he emphasizes. Because: “Our journey is not about whether we finish seventh or eighth in 2023. It’s about how we get back to the top with the team.”
Williams is not the only team that currently has to manage many different issues. It’s not just about the car for 2023 and the car for 2024, but also about the car for 2026 and things like infrastructure.
“You can’t lump everything together and hope it’s successful,” says Vowles. “We want to take a step forward in 2024, but we also want to take a step forward in 2025 and 2026. That will take time and will mean a transition. And I’d rather invest everything in that, at the expense of upgrades this year.”
The team boss emphasizes that he obviously doesn’t want to finish the season in eighth place and that his team will fight until the chequered flag drops in Abu Dhabi, “but I’m also aware that we’re asking the race team and the drivers to do it with one hand behind their backs,” he says.
“But that’s okay. I’m still confident that our decisions will lead to long-term success. “
Las Vegas is a fast circuit that is more akin to tracks like Monza and Spa in terms of efficiency – tracks where Williams has been strong.
“It’s also unlikely that we’ll get track temperatures in the 50s,” says Vowles. “Ambient temperatures may even be in the single digits at 9 to 10 degrees Celsius, and I think that will mask one of our Achilles heels. “
Opportunities and risks for all
However, he also recognizes many dangers, especially due to the new and therefore slippery asphalt. “We saw in Qatar how much this can change over the course of the weekend and have an impact on lap times and tire behavior,” he says. “That creates opportunities, but also risk. “
Will Williams set the pace in Las Vegas?
With the race in Las Vegas this weekend, Williams has a great opportunity to cement its seventh place in the championship. The team believes it has a good chance of a strong result because the conditions could suit the car
Vowles also believes that Pirelli’s softest tire compounds could cause problems – but for everyone.
“But whatever happens, I think it’s one of our best options compared to recent events,” he says. “We need to make sure we score as many points as possible and increase the gap to AlphaTauri in the championship. “
