Vaults: Sains's results are worse than they could be.

      James Vowles, Williams Racing team principal, discussed the tasks facing the team in the second half of the season while answering fans' questions.

      Question: During testing at Silverstone, the team tested solutions aimed at solving cooling system problems. Have these issues been fully resolved?

      James Vowles: As evident from the question, this year we faced difficulties due to cooling system malfunctions, which appeared in several races throughout the season, most notably in Austria, leading to Alex Albon's retirement when he was quite high up.

      In the first practice session at Silverstone, we did extensive work targeting this issue, so the team followed a different plan than other teams. Additionally, Alex and Carlos Sainz's programs were also different.

      We have indeed implemented a range of solutions allowing the cars to reach the finish line, but these solutions come at a speed cost. Ideally, we want to eliminate any performance loss, and the team continues tirelessly working to resolve this challenge.

      Question: Is it more interesting to watch a rain-affected race from the pit wall than a dry race?

      James Vowles: Rain races are often more fun and exciting in many ways, partly because computer modeling technologies can't predict the race developments on the track with the same accuracy as dry races.

      Dry races follow a more predictable scenario since the track conditions remain fairly stable. This state gradually improves but is still forecastable, including tire degradation, and we’re capable of calculating whether the race can be completed with one or two pit stops.

      When intermediate tires are needed, as at Silverstone where the track was drying and during a transitional period, then rain returned, followed by a period of switch-on-slicks, different tools are required. Primarily, it’s crucial to react correctly to what is happening on the track around your cars.

      When we are almost sure it’s time to switch to slicks, and the driver is also confident, then it's time to act. Overall, different scenarios can occur, but personally, I enjoy both.

      Question: What hopes do you have for the second half of the season, what results are you expecting from the drivers, and which circuits are likely to be most successful?

      James Vowles: Starting with Carlos. His results this year have been worse than they could have been. Various factors have influenced this: mistakes he made himself, but also mistakes made by the team. There have been accidents too — overall, many factors.

      For me, it’s important to leave all that in the past and start progressing from Spa onwards. We have a series of races ahead that could go well for us, but only if we fully unlock the potential of the FW47, which we have. The first step is understanding why we haven't been able to fully utilize the car's capabilities in qualifying.

      With Carlos, I believe that together we can deliver the results the team is capable of. So far this season, it hasn't happened. Regarding Alex, the goal is to develop everything we’ve achieved so far. We have to admit that recently we’ve been a bit off, but we must keep working to improve efficiency, including better qualifying performance.

      This will help Alex continue earning points, which he was quite successful at during the first half of the season. Ultimately, everything from the first half of the championship should teach us a lot and help us perform more consistently.