Alex Albon has identified the Williams FW48’s main weakness, explaining that the team is working intensely to eliminate the deep-rooted characteristics that have restricted its performance on technical Formula 1 circuits. Although Williams understands the problem, Alex Albon doubts it can be completely resolved in time for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The FW48 has struggled since the beginning of the 2026 season, with both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz finding it difficult to extract satisfactory performance at circuits that have traditionally exposed Williams’ technical limitations. The car has remained particularly uncompetitive at venues such as Barcelona and the Hungaroring, where its inconsistent behaviour has prevented the drivers from exploiting its full potential.
Those difficulties contributed to a damaging weekend in Budapest as Williams’ FW48 problems became particularly evident at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Alex Albon believes the team is now making an enormous effort to address what he describes as a problem embedded in the “genetics” of Williams cars.
Alex Albon identifies a historic Williams FW48 weakness
Williams has experienced this type of limitation since the turbo-hybrid era began in 2014. Its cars have generally been less competitive on technical layouts while performing more strongly at low-downforce circuits, where straight-line efficiency carries greater importance.
The recurrence of that familiar weakness has left Williams determined to find a lasting solution. Alex Albon stressed that the team understands precisely where it is losing performance and praised the work taking place behind the scenes.
“We are doing the right things to get back on track, and it is a shame to be in this situation,” Alex Albon said. “I truly believe we are acting correctly, but I doubt the problem will already be resolved by Baku.”
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix should provide a less severe examination of some of the FW48’s limitations than Barcelona or the Hungaroring, thanks to Baku’s long straights and lower-downforce requirements. However, Alex Albon’s assessment suggests that Williams is seeking a fundamental improvement rather than a circuit-specific solution.
Williams front-wing upgrade delivered limited progress
Williams introduced a new front wing at Silverstone in an effort to improve the FW48’s performance. Although the upgrade generated some benefits, it did not produce the transformation the team had hoped to achieve.
“The work that has been carried out represents the greatest effort I have ever seen from the team,” the Thai driver explained.
Despite that commitment, Alex Albon believes the updates planned for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix are unlikely to eradicate such a deeply embedded problem. Williams must improve the car’s underlying balance and predictability rather than relying on a single aerodynamic component to deliver a complete solution.
The team’s difficult Hungarian weekend also had wider consequences, as Williams slipped behind Audi in the championship standings. That result underlined the importance of finding improvements that work across a broader range of circuits.
Hungarian GP wind exposed the FW48’s inconsistency
Alex Albon described how windy conditions at the Hungarian Grand Prix heavily influenced the FW48’s behaviour. The car’s inability to deliver consistent performance was the most frustrating aspect of the weekend because it prevented him from driving at the limit with confidence.
“The team is not getting the most out of me because I cannot drive to the maximum of my abilities,” Alex Albon told the media.
When a car responds unpredictably to changes in wind direction or corner type, a driver cannot consistently commit under braking or carry the desired speed through a sequence of bends. That can be particularly costly at a technical venue such as the Hungaroring, where one balance problem can compromise several connected corners.
The full scale of Williams’ struggles could also be seen in the final 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix classification, which confirmed another disappointing weekend for the British team.
Williams targets a more balanced Formula 1 car for 2027
Williams is now looking towards its next development steps in the hope of finally breaking this long-running cycle in 2027. The work being undertaken is intended not only to improve short-term competitiveness but also to create a more balanced and consistent Formula 1 car.
Progress during the remainder of 2026 will therefore be important even if the FW48’s fundamental weakness cannot be eliminated immediately. The team can use its remaining upgrades and upcoming races on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar to evaluate potential solutions and establish a stronger technical foundation for its next car.
For Alex Albon, the objective is clear: Williams must give its drivers a predictable platform that allows them to perform at their true level on every type of circuit. The scale of the team’s current effort has encouraged him, but his comments also make clear that solving a weakness developed over many seasons will require more than one upgrade package.
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