Vowles wants to keep Sainz and Albon until 2030

A tough start to the 2026 season

James Vowles is very clear about the future of Williams: he wants to keep Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon for a long time. There are always rumors in Formula 1, but Vowles believes the team can convince both drivers to stay.

Last year was a good year for Williams. Sainz scored two unexpected podiums and Albon was very consistent. Together, they helped Williams finish in P5 in the Constructors’ Championship. But the start of the 2026 season has been much harder. Because of delays in the factory during the winter, the team started behind the competition. Right now, Williams is only eighth in the championship.

By Jakob van Putten | RNT-Motorsports | 1 June 2026

“There is zero doubt in my mind that this is the pairing that I want. They know it. It is up to us in the next five years to show that we can improve the car and earn the right for them to be here.”: James Vowles

Honesty during the winter crisis

Working together as leaders

What makes Vowles different from other team bosses is his honesty. During the difficult winter, he called Sainz and Albon almost every day to give them updates. Even when the news was bad, he told them the truth.

Vowles asked his drivers to be real leaders and help the team move forward. Instead of complaining, Sainz and Albon worked hard to help the engineers. Thanks to their hard work, they still managed to score important points in races like Miami and Shanghai.

The plan for 2030 does not change

Fixing the problems

Many people outside the team think Williams is going backward. However, Vowles says this difficult period is just a “blip in the road.” The winter problems showed exactly what is wrong inside the factory, and now the team can fix these root causes.

Aiming for the championship

The long-term plan of Williams stays exactly the same. The team wants to make a big step forward in 2028, and they want to fight for the World Championship by 2030.

The biggest challenge for Vowles now is keeping Sainz and Albon motivated. He needs to prove to them that staying with Williams for the next few years is the best choice for their careers. If the team can improve the car quickly, they will have one of the strongest and most stable driver duos on the grid.