After facing production delays during the winter, Williams arrived at the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season without a third chassis for drivers Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant.
The situation became problematic at the Australian Grand Prix when a practice crash forced Albon’s car out of commission for the weekend. Williams had to make the tough decision to transfer Albon to Sargeant’s car.
Despite further setbacks due to crashes in recent races, team principal James Vowles announced that the issue has been addressed.
Speaking at a Williams Fan Zone event in Miami, Vowles confirmed: “Despite the challenges of crashes earlier in the season, the third car is now ready to go. Let’s hope it stays in the box for the next 18 races!”
While Williams has seen improvements with its FW46 car this year, the team has yet to score any points due to intense competition in the midfield.
Vowles acknowledged the team’s unfulfilled potential, attributing it in part to the series of incidents. “There is untapped potential in the car, but we’ve faced some setbacks,” he stated.
He detailed the extensive damage suffered, including the loss of multiple key components like floors. front wings. Rear wings, and gearboxes, which typically would occur over the course of an entire season, not just two races.
With the spare situation now rectified, Vowles emphasized the team’s focus on bringing performance upgrades in the coming races. “We’re leaving the challenges behind us and moving forward,” he said. “The upcoming races will see us unleashing the full potential of the car with a series of performance upgrades.”
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