David Coulthard has warned that if the upgraded Williams FW48 fails to deliver a clear step forward at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the team’s future will be on the brink.
Williams has long struggled with an overweight car, hovering ninth in the constructor’s standings after 14 races and holding just 11 points from Carlos Sainz’s six and Alex Albon’s five. The new car package, described by chief James Vowles as an “almost B‑spec” upgrade, aims to shed weight and improve aerodynamics, turning the rigidly tight F1 regulations to the team’s advantage.
“Ten kilos equates to three‑four tenths of a second per lap,” Coulthard told the Up to Speed podcast, adding that the drop in mass will move the FW48 “back on track” and align with next‑season designs, namely the front‑floor tweaks that might separate teams from rivals.
He noted Aston Martin’s recent B‑spec lift, “notable step forward,” and warned that if Williams does not follow suit, “heads will roll.”
Practice results cast further doubt
Sainz and Albon finished 12th and 13th in Saturday’s first Baku practice, then slipped to 17th and 16th in the second session, underscoring the immediate performance gap.
Race day set for course‑cutting stakes
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place Saturday at 3 p.m. local time, offering Williams one of the seasonal few chances to showcase the upgraded FW48’s potential.
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