BAKU — Williams endured the definition of a mixed bag at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as its much-anticipated B-spec upgrade finally hit the track, delivering a first Q3 appearance of the 2026 season but yielding split results for its two drivers in Baku.
The team had circled Azerbaijan in red as the weekend to finally introduce the upgraded package, and the step forward was immediate in qualifying with progression to Q3 for the first time this year. Carlos Sainz did not start there due to a grid penalty, tempering the breakthrough, while Williams still managed to score points for the first time since Monaco with some fortune in a turbulent race.
On the other side of the garage, Alex Albon crashed out, ensuring the B-spec debut ended with contrasting fortunes. The weekend summed up the trade-off of the upgrade — a tangible qualifying gain offset by an unfinished race and a points return that required circumstances to fall its way — leaving Williams with clear progress and work still to do as it assesses what is next with the new package.