Williams team principal James Vowles confirmed the team will introduce an 'almost entirely new car' for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in late September. This major upgrade package represents the Grove squad's biggest push to address their disappointing start to the season, where they sit eighth in the constructors' standings on just 11 points.

The team's struggles stem from prioritizing 2026 preparations last year, leaving their FW48 completed late and overweight. Williams failed to score points in the last two races, with Alex Albon finishing 17th two laps down while Carlos Sainz retired with engine failure in Austria. Hot conditions and circuit characteristics exposed fundamental weaknesses in the current package.

Vowles outlined a staggered upgrade approach: medium updates for Silverstone, smaller revisions for Spa and Hungary, followed by significant weight reduction components for Zandvoort. Albon tempered expectations, acknowledging the British GP upgrades won't vault Williams into the midfield battle but could narrow the gap to teams like Haas.

The team faces a six-week wait before their comprehensive Baku package arrives, during which rivals continue developing. Williams desperately needs performance gains to remain competitive in F1's tight midfield contest.