Williams is introducing a major update package for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, described by team boss James Vowles as an 'almost completely new' car. The upgrade, referred to as the B-spec FW48, includes significant aerodynamic changes and a new chassis with substantial lightweighting measures. The FW48 started the season at least 20kg over the minimum weight limit, costing roughly 30 milliseconds per kilogram in lap time.

While Alex Albon called the update a 'big step' and a testament to behind-the-scenes work, Carlos Sainz noted it was 'more in line with what we should have started the year with' and unlikely to be transformative. The team has prioritized weight reduction due to earlier crash test failures and budget cap constraints, applying minor updates throughout the season. Albon acknowledged the upgrade will help, especially from weight savings, but admitted Williams cannot fully close the gap to the midfield as rivals continue developing.

The chassis improvements allow for better ballast placement once the minimum weight is reached, but ultimate performance gains will depend on aerodynamics and other factors.