**Williams Makes a Mark at the Miami Grand Prix**

The Miami Grand Prix witnessed a significant milestone as Williams driver Alex Albon secured a top-five finish, outmaneuvering Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The race’s second half saw minimal competition for Albon, underscoring the impressive progress made by the Grove-based team this season with its FW47.

**Williams Climbs Up the Constructors’ Championship**

With this performance, Williams has established a 17-point lead over Haas in the battle for fifth position in the constructors’ championship. The team has scored points in five out of six races this season and boasted the fourth-fastest package in Miami according to supertimes.

Over the past seven years, a top-five finish might have seemed unattainable for Williams. However, this is now the “new normal” for the team, as they continue to push boundaries and challenge the midfield pack.

**Williams Outperforms Ferrari at Miami Circuit**

The Miami circuit appeared to favor the Williams cars, particularly in the higher-speed sections of the track. This advantage allowed Williams to outperform Ferrari throughout the weekend, despite ‘s stronger performance in lower-speed corners.

In terms of race pace consistency, the FW47 was significantly more reliable, as shown in our graph below. While Albon’s lap times were comparable to Leclerc’s at the top end, Leclerc’s variance across his overall lap times was much greater, indicating a less consistent performance.

**Sainz’s Dilemma: Development vs. 2026 Focus**

After qualifying sixth, Carlos Sainz expressed his satisfaction with the car’s performance over the weekend, stating that it “fell in the window” and helped the team comfortably compete in the middle of the Q3 pack.

Despite this level of performance leaving him torn, Sainz acknowledged the team’s commitment to focusing on making 2026 a competitive year. However, he couldn’t help but wonder how much further Williams could climb if it could focus on “two or three areas” before fully investing in next year’s car.

Sainz emphasized that the team’s potential was evident, especially given his proximity to pole position in only his sixth race. However, resources are limited, and the team must remain focused on its long-term goals.

**Williams’ Long-Term Ambition**

After years of struggling to score points, Williams is now looking towards a brighter future. Focusing on 2026 still makes sense for the team, as good results can sometimes be a distraction. The team’s long-term assurance is crucial, and putting the focus on 2026 is a strategic move in that direction.

Photos from Miami GP – Race