James Vowles: Williams faces “weaker” Hungarian GP after Spa upgrade

Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles has confirmed that the Hungaroring circuit will be “weaker” for the team after the latest FW47 upgrades.

The Grove outfit introduced new upgrades to the car for the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, which saw Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz gather 11 more points for the team over the sprint race and grand prix. The upgrade package focused on floor fences and a new floor edge.

Discussing the upgrades in The Vowles Verdict, the team chief explained: “It’s fundamentally downforce that we’ve added to the car. Now, there’s still going to be weak and strong circuits. So Spa, stronger circuit. I think Monza will be a stronger circuit, and I think Budapest will be a weaker circuit. But it’s still one that I go in with the hope of scoring points.”

Speaking to the media after the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Sainz confirmed that he felt the team had “gone in the right direction,” but stated that the upgrades had made the car “trickier” to drive.

Albon confirmed that Hungary is historically “not a good track” for the team. 

“I think that we had a really strong race today,” he explained to Motorsport.com and other media in Belgium.

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

“The package definitely helped us finish the position we finished, and we would not have been in it. But we need to do more tracks to really find out where we are. I think this track always would have suited us.

“Hungary is not a good track for us normally, so we need to see where we fall out there. If we’re good in Hungary, then I think we can say the rest of the year is going to be strong. But I’ll wait until then.”

The Hungarian Grand Prix is the last race before the F1 summer break. Heading into the race weekend in Budapest, Williams sits fifth in the constructors’ championship with 70 points, with a 27-point lead on Sauber in sixth.

Photos from Hungarian GP – Thursday