Williams boss, James Vowles, while admitting that the summer break is much needed, insists that the team's current standing doesn't reflect its true position.

Though one point down on Audi, the Grove outfit has seen its German rival score points on each of the last three race weekends, while much is expected of Aston Martin once the season resumes.

The team's issues are manifold, and not restricted to a car which is overweight and suffers major balance issues.

It was clear, even before the season had got underway that there was a problem with the FW47, the team skipping the pre-season shakedown at Barcelona.

The upgrade introduced in Miami gave some temporary hope, but since Monaco the team has looked all at sea, and in Hungary neither driver made it out of Q1 for the first time this season.

Of course, all this is a million miles away from what appears to have been the false dawn of 2025 when the Grove outfit finished fifth in the standings. Then again, as the regulation cycle came to an end, performance convergence often leads to such 'improvements'.

Before switching the factory lights out and heading off for the break, Vowles took to social media to offer fans - and no doubt team personnel - some words of hope.

"We'll take this time to rest while also reflecting on areas to improve," he wrote. "Our commitment to you is that we will do everything that we can to find every millisecond available.

"Much of the positive changes are masked," he added, "there are strong developments that will help year to year. We'll return energised and ready to finish the year strong," he vowed.

Trouble is, the fans have heard this before, as have his drivers, hence ongoing speculation over their futures, particularly Carlos Sainz.

Indeed, in an almost 'frying pan to fire' scenario, Sergio Perez' management is understood to be talking to the Grove outfit while Sainz is linked with Audi.

Another upgrade package is planned for Baku, but some fear it is already too late.