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Williams’ Miami Upgrade Restores Intended Baseline as Points Return

Weight-saving parts cut the car’s mass to start a months-long recovery.

Overview

  • Williams logged its first double-points finish of 2026 in Miami, with Carlos Sainz ninth and Alex Albon also scoring, to climb to eighth ahead of Audi.
  • The upgrade delivered the lighter-spec car Sainz said was meant for Race 1, resetting the team’s baseline after a disrupted winter.
  • The package targeted excess weight from delayed build work, and the team says more mass still needs to come off.
  • Despite the step, Sainz said Alpine was about 20 seconds up the road in Miami, leaving Williams roughly sixth fastest on pace.
  • He expects only a gradual recovery, with small lightweight parts arriving over the next races and a proper turnaround not likely until the last third of the season.