The 2026 Formula 1 season has already brought major challenges for several teams, setting the stage for an uncomfortable start to the year. Not all are facing it the same way, and what’s unfolding behind the scenes reveals two very different paths.

Williams

In the case of Williams Racing, the project is moving forward with setbacks, but also with signs of life. The FW48 carries clear issues: excess weight, aerodynamic limitations and delays in developing lighter components. Each of these factors costs valuable tenths on track, gaps that in modern F1 translate directly into positions. However, one key factor is keeping the team afloat: Carlos Sainz.

The Spanish driver is not only competing, he is organizing. His adaptation to the team has been immediate and his impact tangible. In races like the one in China, he has managed to score points even from outside the top 10, taking advantage of others’ mistakes and maintaining control in a car that is still not fully refined. Alongside Alexander Albon, Williams has found some stability, although it is still far from ideal pace.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin, on the other hand, is going through a much more complex scenario. After the Japanese Grand Prix, the team finds itself at the back of the grid, with no points and a gap that seems deeper than expected. Aston Martin is not only struggling with performance, but also with the feeling of not finding clear answers under the new regulations.

With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, it has not been enough to turn things around. The influence of the new technical regulations, the adaptation to the new hybrid era and the demands of development have left the team without the pace needed to even fight for points. In this context, the pressure continues to grow, and each race becomes an opportunity that does not always translate into results.

The next race will take place at the Miami GP, where these teams will have an opportunity to improve their performance and perhaps score points.