Williams Sets 2025 as Baseline for Improvement, Rivals Laud Aston Martin Design
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A team official indicated that Williams Racing is tempering expectations for immediate championship contention, focusing instead on establishing 2025 as a foundation for sustained growth. The team, fielding drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, is also observing strong early performance from competitors like Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes, while the innovative design of Aston Martin’s new car is drawing widespread attention.
Williams Targets Consistent Progress
The team’s strategy centers on incremental improvements across all facets of the organization. “We want to establish 2025 as our new base and keep moving forward year on year across the board and across the business,” a senior official stated. While acknowledging areas of strength within the current car – described as being “absolutely championship level” in certain aspects – the team recognizes significant work remains.
The official emphasized the importance of completing the car’s development to a “polished article,” stating that current shortcomings prevent consistent podium finishes and victories. Albon finished eighth in the 2025 drivers’ championship, narrowly ahead of Sainz, who secured two third-place finishes in Azerbaijan and Qatar. This performance provides a benchmark for future progress.
Competitor Developments Impress
Early testing has revealed promising developments from rival teams. The official noted being “impressed by the amount of running completed by Ferrari and the Red Bull teams,” with Red Bull debuting an engine produced at their new in-house facility. Mercedes also appears to be a strong contender, “coming out of the box strong” according to observations.
Aston Martin’s Design Captures Attention
The new Aston Martin car, spearheaded by design legend Adrian Newey, is generating significant buzz within the paddock. Mercedes driver George Russell praised the car’s aesthetics, stating, “What Adrian has done with that car, it looks pretty spectacular.”
However, Russell cautioned against prioritizing style over substance. “Aston Martin was probably the most standout in terms of the car design,” he said. “I think everybody was looking at that rear suspension and it obviously visually looks very impressive. But it’s not a competition of how sexy it is. It’s a competition how fast it goes around the track.” Another official echoed this sentiment, admitting, “I wouldn’t want to be a designer in Aston Martin. That’s a very impressive set of wishbones on that car. Really, really intrinsic or interesting design.”
The focus now shifts to translating these promising designs into on-track performance as the season progresses.
