Carlos Sainz has revealed that Williams is implementing significant and “quite uncomfortable” changes in preparation for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The team’s 2026 campaign has been challenging, with the FW48 proving difficult under the current regulations. Sainz indicated that these immediate, mid-season adjustments are designed to build stronger momentum for the upcoming regulatory cycle.
The 2026 season has seen Williams accumulate only 12 points, placing them ninth in the Constructors’ Championship. This marks a notable decline from their fifth-place finish in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, which was their best result in a decade.
Sainz stated the FW48 is not consistently capable of scoring points. He noted that while the car can reach Q2 with a strong lap, achieving a top 14 finish in races is very difficult. The lightweight chassis has allowed for three consecutive Q2 appearances since Baku, but race pace remains outside the top 15 in normal conditions.
Williams team principal James Vowles confirmed the team is compromising 2026 development. Resources are largely allocated to the 2027 campaign, a strategic shift following a difficult season. Vowles admitted the Grove outfit knowingly sacrificed aerodynamic performance this year to repair foundational operational issues.
The team’s struggles with the FW48 include it being significantly overweight, by over 20kg, a problem without an immediate fix due to cost cap restrictions. Sainz has described the FW48 as suffering from a “fundamental design flaw” that minor aerodynamic updates cannot resolve.
Alex Albon reported “some weird stuff going on in the car,” including “three-wheeling” in corners. This indicates balance issues and a compromised aerodynamic platform, leading to reduced mechanical grip and unpredictable handling.
Williams is undertaking “massive changes inside the team,” investing in infrastructure and modernising operations. This includes exploring the use of AI and a partnership with Anthropic to accelerate design, strategy, and overall team operations.
A key part of this strategy involves a “transition chassis project.” The new chassis introduced for the FW48 will be carried over into the 2027 challenger. This approach was previously successful between the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Carlos Sainz has committed his future to Williams by signing a new multi-year contract, completing the team’s 2027 driver line-up alongside Alex Albon. This commitment reflects faith in the team’s long-term project despite the current performance challenges.
The 2027 Formula 1 season will introduce significant technical regulation changes. These include a rebalancing of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and Energy Recovery System (ERS) contributions. ICE power will increase from 400kW to 420kW, while maximum electrical power deployment from the MGU-K will reduce from 350kW to 300kW.
This rebalancing shifts the power ratio from 53:47 in 2026 to 58:42 in 2027, moving towards 60:40 in 2028. Fuel flow will also increase by 5%. Sporting regulations will see race distances reduced from approximately 305 km to under 290 km, with the exception of Monaco.
Further technical adjustments for 2027 include a ban on exhaust wing concepts and tighter regulations on advanced suspension systems. Gearbox homologation will be scrapped, allowing teams greater flexibility for in-season design alterations. Pre-season testing days will also increase from three to four.
“We’re going through some massive changes inside the team, and we are investing these last nine races of the year to challenge ourselves to change things in the middle of a Formula 1 season which you would never wait until the break to change them,” Sainz stated.
The decision to implement these changes mid-season, even if it means sacrificing current lap time, is a directive from top management. The objective is to ensure Williams is well-prepared for the 2027 regulations and can “hit the ground running next year.”
