Williams team principal James Vowles confirmed that engineering work to reduce the FW48's weight is complete. However cost cap restrictions prevent the team from introducing all fixes at once.
The solutions exist on paper but must be rolled out gradually. Vowles said the design team has finished the work needed to bring the car below the weight limit. Production of new parts is limited by financial rules that make it too expensive to scrap existing components immediately.
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Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles explained that Alex Albon's five consecutive late pit stops during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka served as a live test session for front wing adjustments. With points out of reach, the team gathered data to correlate track performance with wind tunnel and CFD simulations. The experiments addressed ongoing challenges with the overweight FW47 car.
Williams Formula 1 team aims to shed 28kg from its overweight FW48 car, targeting a one-second per lap performance boost by the Italian Grand Prix. Team principal James Vowles outlined engineering steps to achieve this, constrained by cost cap rules. Initial reductions could appear at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend.
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Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles has stated that his team will use every hour of the upcoming April break to address early-season struggles and improve performance. The break comes after Formula 1 confirmed the postponement of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to conflict in the Middle East. Vowles highlighted the team's overweight car as a key issue.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has called for adjustments to Formula 1 power unit regulations to enhance the series, though he believes meaningful hardware changes are unlikely before 2028. Recent refinements to the 2026 rules delivered modest gains at the Miami Grand Prix. Stakeholders including Mercedes and Alpine have weighed in on the need for lead time and potential tweaks.
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The FIA has approved Ferrari's innovative rear wing design trialed during pre-season testing in Bahrain. Team principal Fred Vasseur expressed satisfaction with the team's mileage and data collection, while highlighting the importance of ongoing development. Ferrari also demonstrated strong race starts thanks to a smaller turbo in their power unit.
The FIA has launched an investigation into Mercedes' movable front wing on its 2026 W17 car following a rival team's request for clarification after the Chinese Grand Prix. The wing allegedly closes in two phases, with the second exceeding the 400-millisecond regulatory limit. Officials aim to resolve the issue before the upcoming Suzuka Grand Prix.
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Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson stated that Formula 1 drivers tend to complain about everything, including the divisive 2026 regulations that introduced smaller, lighter cars with greater emphasis on electrical energy. He acknowledged valid safety concerns following Oliver Bearman’s high-speed crash at Suzuka while expressing hope for performance improvements through upcoming upgrades. The FIA reported constructive talks on potential changes after discussions with F1 and engine manufacturers.