Williams' full transformation from an underfunded legacy team to a modern powerhouse was always going to be a long-term project. But the Formula 1 squad had made a big song and dance about using the 2026 regulations to make a great step forward, sacrificing much of its 2025 development in the process.
Last year Williams performed better than all odds, leaping from ninth to fifth despite its overt 2026 focus, and it had solidified Carlos Sainz's choice to move to Grove over the likes of Sauber/Audi, banking two podiums in his first year with the squad.
