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Williams feared losing Sainz and Albon during tough 2026 campaign
Team principal James Vowles has revealed Williams faced a genuine threat of losing both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon amid a difficult start to the 2026 Formula 1 season.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-21T14:00:00.000Z - 2 min read
Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles has acknowledged that the Grove-based outfit held genuine concerns about losing both Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon prior to securing their respective contract extensions. The admission sheds light on the internal pressure experienced behind closed doors during a challenging opening phase to the 2026 racing calendar for the British squad.
Both drivers arrived at the summer break evaluating their long-term options after Williams endured a difficult start to the campaign. Vowles described the duo as possessing championship-material credentials, making them attractive targets for rival outfits looking to shake up their driver lineups as the F1 driver market developed.
Despite the early competitive struggles, negotiations ultimately culminated in both drivers reaffirming their commitment to the British outfit. Albon and Sainz are now officially locked in to remain with Williams through the 2027 season, providing the team with much-needed stability as they work to reverse their on-track fortunes.
The contract security comes at a vital juncture for Williams, who found themselves at the rear of the timesheets during the opening practice session for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Alex Albon managed the 19th-fastest time during Friday running, while Carlos Sainz finished the hour at the foot of the order, underlining the performance deficit the team continues to battle.
Vowles and his technical department face a steep development curve to provide machinery worthy of their driver lineup's ambitions. Retaining two established talents of their calibre ensures continuity in the simulator, debrief room and car setup direction even as the team fights to climb back toward the midfield order.
With their driver market future now settled well in advance of the final stages of the 2026 season, Williams can shift its undivided focus to addressing the underlying performance issues of their challenger. The sustained backing of both Sainz and Albon offers an important vote of confidence in the long-term technical roadmap mapped out by the team management.