Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has predicted that Williams will be the "biggest surprise" of the year but has also issued a warning to Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz. Williams endured a difficult 2024 season, finishing ninth in the constructors' standings. Their campaign was disrupted by a mid-season driver change, with Franco Colapinto replacing Logan Sargeant. While Colapinto showed promise early on, his later struggles, including multiple crashes, cost the team significantly.

Despite last season’s setbacks, Williams enters the upcoming campaign with renewed optimism, boasting one of the most talented driver pairings in Albon and Sainz. However, Montoya believes their success will depend on the car’s performance, while also cautioning that underperformance could put either driver’s seat at risk. He expects Williams to make major strides, unlike Aston Martin, whom he believes will shift focus to the 2026 power unit regulations.