Williams faces a major test in Baku, without promising regular points

Williams will introduce a significant upgrade package in Baku after months of waiting. The FW48 began the season overweight and with handling shortcomings that the team has gradually addressed. Ninth in the championship with 11 points, Williams is now trying to get back to having a car capable of moving closer to the points battle.

Alex Albon points out, however, that rivals have made substantial progress since these upgrades were designed. The expected gains therefore do not guarantee an equivalent jump in the competitive order. For James Vowles, Baku will also test the development methods: reproducing the predicted performance on track would build confidence in the work underway for 2027. The aim is not to showcase a spectacular transformation, but to demonstrate that Williams is moving in the right direction.