Albon says Williams can progress in 2026 but faces uphill battle

Alex Albon says Williams still has room to improve for 2026, but warns the work will be incremental. Missing private testing in Barcelona and an overweight FW48 left the team on the back foot early this year. A Miami‑Grand‑Prix upgrade is on the way, but Albon stresses it won’t be a miracle fix.

Why it matters:

• Midfield teams need to close the performance gap under the new 2026 power‑unit rules, and a stronger Williams adds depth to the grid.
• Improvement would boost sponsor confidence and keep the championship battle lively.

The details:

• Testing delay – Williams cancelled private testing in Barcelona, leaving the car with limited baseline data before the season start.
• Weight problem – The FW48’s excess mass has hurt tyre wear and aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to poor qualifying pace in the first three rounds.
• Miami upgrade – Engineers have built a package aimed at better balance and cooling; Albon says it will be an improvement but not a breakthrough.

What's next:

• The Miami Grand Prix (May 1‑3) will be the first race where the new parts are tested, providing a clear gauge of progress.
• Team principal James Vowles expects the car to evolve throughout the season, aiming for a “completely different car” by year‑end and a return to midfield contention.