Williams issues 'frustration' plea after series of F1 crashes

Williams team principal James Vowles has detailed how he will lift the spirit of the team following a difficult weekend in Brazil.

During qualifying at Interlagos, both Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto crashed with the former forced to withdraw from the grand prix due to the damage sustained to his car.

Colapinto endured another hefty crash during the race, with the three incidents adding to the two clashes Albon was involved in one week earlier in Mexico.

Vowles described the cost of the shunts as “brutal” ahead of the final three rounds of the ongoing season.

But despite the pain of the incidents, Vowles insisted it was a “blip” as it targets long-term progress.

“I came here to win races with Williams,” Vowles said. 

“I came here to watch Williams, a championship team that is the second most successful team in the sport, come back to the front. So a weekend like this is a blip.

“It's part of a journey, but it is not our destination. I said all along that 2023, 2024 and 2025 don’t have the material impact on us as a team. 2026, 2027 and 2028 do.

“It's a long way away, but it's investment in the future, and it's making sure we're doing the right things for the continued success of the team rather than one race weekend.”

Williams is currently on course to end the season ninth in the constructors' having dropped behind Alpine following the Enstone-based squad's double podium result in Sao Paulo.

Its loss of championship position served as another painful moment for the squad during a difficult Brazil weekend.

However, Vowles insisted Williams will use the circumstance as a moment to reflect on the future as it aims to climb the F1 pecking order.

“In no time has our destination changed,” Vowles said. “I still know where we're going and we know how we're going to achieve that and get there.

“So as painful as this weekend is, that reminder towards where we're going brings everyone to a level where they understand why it's just a part of our journey.

“I’d also say that the pain and frustration, use it positively. 

“As frustrating as it is, you want to look back on this in the future and remember it as just a part of what we had to go through to be successful.”