James Vowles Reaffirms Faith in Sainz and Albon Amid Williams Struggles

It has been a challenging start to the 2026 regulation era for Williams, but Team Principal James Vowles insists there is “zero doubt” that Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon remain the driver pairing he wants leading the team’s future.

Four-time grand prix winner Sainz was a major signing for Williams after vacating his Ferrari seat for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. While Audi was initially considered the favourite to secure the Spaniard’s services, Vowles made a bold move to partner Sainz with Albon, who signed a multi-year contract extension in 2024.

After finishing fifth in the constructors’ championship last season, aided by two podiums from Sainz, Williams has slipped down the order in 2026. The team has been hampered by production delays and operational issues that Vowles is determined to address.

“[There is] zero doubt in my mind that this is the pairing that I want,” Vowles said while speaking with F1.com.

“They are aware of it. You will always get silly season but it’s in our hands both today and in the next five years to demonstrate we have ability to put performance on the car that outstrips other teams and therefore earn their right to be here.

“They are both hugely impressive because it was a tough winter. I called them pretty much daily on here’s where we are and here’s what’s changing. As it changed around us, I wanted to make sure they had awareness on it.

“So, it was bad news stories that kept coming for weeks but my ask to them was: ‘You are a leader of this organisation as I am, so make sure we pull together and directionally pull the team forward’.”

Both Sainz and Albon responded in the manner Vowles had hoped, supporting the team throughout a difficult off-season.

“They were there by our sides all the way through and that’s really important to me. They were asking the right questions and asking me: ‘What else can I do?’ That’s a sign of the characters they are and the strength as they are as individuals,” Vowles continued.

“What I enjoy about them is that every time we have had points to pick up – Miami or even before that Shanghai – they are there and ready to do it.”

Despite Williams’ disappointing start to the new regulations, Vowles remains committed to the long-term targets he has outlined for the team, with 2028 and 2030 remaining key milestones.

“It doesn’t have an impact on what we are doing,” he said.

“What we have always said is ’28 is one of our big milestones, 2030 the second of those two milestones – and championships towards 2030. It doesn’t change that direction of travel.

“It’s frustrating. I have discovered more issues that I would have liked. They are all fixable. It’s a blip in the road. If you ignore it, you’re in trouble. But if you use the fact of understanding of what went wrong and go back to the root cause of it, it’s one of the most powerful things that can happen to you.”

Williams currently sits eighth in the constructors’ championship, five points ahead of Audi and ahead of fellow newcomers Cadillac and Aston Martin at the foot of the standings. Sainz has contributed six of the team’s points so far, while Albon has managed just a single points finish during the campaign.

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Written by

Jawad Yaqub

An eCommerce Specialist by day and reporting on F1 by night. Jawad is passionate about motorsport, having provided accredited F1 coverage for more than a decade. Live blogging (almost) every grand prix too since 2014, as well as articles on the Supercars Championship. Also keen on sustainability, photography, collecting vinyl, (trying to) expertly barbeque and learning to Dad.

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