Williams' team leader, James Vowles, has acknowledged that significant efforts are necessary to reduce the weight of their 2024 Formula 1 car.
This week, the team, based in Grove, has successfully extended Alex Albon's contract into the new regulation period starting in 2026. At Imola, the British-Thai driver hinted he had other opportunities, yet Vowles was able to persuade him that the ongoing modernization efforts at Williams would be fruitful, despite the difficulties encountered this year.
The 2024 car was not only delivered late—along with the delayed production of a much-needed additional monocoque—but Vowles has now conceded that it remains considerably over the minimum required weight.
Alpine's dismal performance at the start of 2024 was partly due to being over 10 kilograms above the weight limit. However, they have made notable progress in reducing this excess weight.
Vowles highlighted the Imola upgrade as the beginning of Williams' strategy to shed the unwanted kilos.
"Since 2019, every Williams car has been over the weight limit," he was quoted by Auto Motor und Sport. "I had to make sure that changed."
"I'll give you an example - our current car is 14 kilograms lighter than the 2023 model, and yet we are still too heavy. All the other teams are at the weight limit."
"We lose four and a half tenths per lap just because our car is too heavy," Vowles elaborated. "Of course that frustrates Alex."
"But once we've got rid of that problem, he can show his true potential."
Vowles expressed continued commitment to the weight reduction plan: "It will take six races until we've slimmed down the car. And even then we're not quite at the weight limit."
