Nico Rosberg has expressed strong criticism of his former team, Williams, describing their 2026 Formula 1 season as a “shocker.” The team has faced a tough year, starting off with a car that was significantly underperforming and notably overweight. Throughout 2026, Williams has struggled to make improvements and currently sits ninth in the constructors’ championship with just 11 points.
Rosberg, who launched his F1 career with Williams back in 2006, harshly condemned the team for errors made during the winter development phase of their 2026 car. Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show, he said, “Williams really messed up the winter. They tried to be very ambitious with the chassis design and attempted to innovate, but it backfired, resulting in a car burdened with too much weight.” He added that a 10kg surplus in weight can cost about three-tenths of a second per lap, which is a huge disadvantage. Despite having the best engine in the field—the Mercedes power unit—Williams is still fighting uphill, likely due to aerodynamic shortcomings as well, meaning significant improvements are still needed.
After an impressive 2025 season where Williams finished fifth in the constructors’ championship and earned two podiums, the team has slipped dramatically this year. Rosberg also pointed out that team principal James Vowles, who he holds in high regard, is going through a challenging period as he tries to reverse the team’s fortunes. “They were making solid progress and looked set to consistently reach the top six or eight, but now they’ve fallen back significantly, which comes as a big surprise. James has to push through this difficult time and guide the team back on track, which won’t be easy,” Rosberg said.
Fan Take:
This disappointing season for a once-promising Williams is a stark reminder of how challenging Formula 1 development can be and the fine margins that separate success from struggle. For racing fans, it highlights the importance of continual innovation and adaptation, and how the dynamics of power and aerodynamics can quickly shift the competitive landscape in the sport.
Source: www.crash.net
