Williams F1 Team Grapples with Cooling Issues Ahead of Belgian GP
Silverstone, UK — Williams Racing continues to address persistent cooling challenges that have impacted performance throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season. Team Principal James Vowles acknowledged that while temporary solutions are in place, they are costing the team critical speed on the track.
Both drivers, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, have experienced overheating problems in recent races, notably during events in Spain, Canada, and Austria. Albon faced retirements in Montreal and Spielberg, with the latter particularly detrimental as he was running in a points-scoring position at the time.
“The cooling issue has hindered us for a few races, especially highlighted by Albon’s retirement in Austria,” Vowles stated. “We’ve undertaken a different programme during practice sessions to tackle the problem.”
Despite implementing fixes, Vowles confirmed that the team is sacrificing lap time to achieve race completion. “We can manage the car through the race, but it affects our performance. We aim to develop solutions that maintain both reliability and speed,” he added.
Aerodynamically, the team is focusing on optimizing cooling inlets, which have been contributing to increased drag, along with refining brake duct and winglet designs to enhance air management around the tires.
Looking ahead to the Belgian Grand Prix, Williams plans to introduce a modest upgrade. “Even small enhancements can help us regain momentum in the midfield battle,” Vowles noted. “Capitalizing on the car’s performance and executing clean race weekends remains our top priority.”
As the championship progresses, Williams aims to secure points in the remaining races, aiming to fend off challenges from competitors like Sauber.
