The news of Alex Albon’s ‘multi-year’ deal with Williams comes as a surprise. The Anglo-Thai driver has been linked with F1’s top seats in the past year.
Team principal James Vowles has labelled some of Albon’s best performances as ‘world championship level drives’. He helped carry the team to seventh in the constructors’ standings last season, scoring points on nine occasions.
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Williams following a complete modernisation of the design and manufacturing process over the winter. This has led to delays and therefore a lack of development.
Albon’s chassis was written off after his shunt in FP1 in Australia. Logan Sargeant has also had multiple incidents. This has meant the team has fallen behind on parts and have significantly eaten in to their development budget.
Despite having a better package, which works more consistently over a greater variety of circuits. It is harder for Albon to complete those impressive performances we have become so used to.
Especially as Williams has lost its advantage on low drag tracks like Spa and Monza.
It’s clear though, that with the change in processes and culture over the winter, led by Vowles and chief technical officer Pat Fry, that it was necessary to take the short-term pain for long term improvement.
That is why Albon buys into the project so much as he feels Williams can become a stronger team as the improvements begin to pay off.
The belief in the team
When Vowles asked whether the new deal was a ‘vote of confidence’ in a interview on the Williams website. Albon admitted “Yes, I can definitely see that.”
Albon made it it clear, “To really realise that the fact that I believe in this team to everyone at the factory that’s a reason in itself to realise that we all can do this.”
“I feel like I hope I can give that reassurance in some way to everyone to know that I believe this journey. So you should, too.”
Vowles recognised the interest around Alex Albon. However, Albon said that having seen the work going on behind the scenes, he believes the team can move up the grid.
Alex praised Vowles honesty surrounding the team. “You have been very open about where we are,” continiuning to say, “you weren’t trying to say it was better than it was.”
Albon described the results this season as ‘unfair’ as he praises, “there’s so much that has gone right.”
The Anglo-Thai driver also commended the attiude of the factory and the behind the scenes personnel. “it was the willingness of the people that were in the factory that wanted the change, and so you had this feeling that we’re always going in the right direction.“
Vowles’ impact, and how the foundations of the team are much stronger despite the difficult winter has been felt. “we are forever evolving that there’s clearly so much room for us to grow where I didn’t feel necessarily that was the case when I first joined.”
A Comfortable Environment
When asked by Vowles what makes Williams so special. Albon’s response was the people who work in the team create an environment of “care and love.”
Albon advertised. “It’s clear we’re a British team. we’ve been established as a family team for many years, and you get that family feeling when you come here. It feels like everyone is intertwined.”
After his time in Red Bull, Alex albon highly regards the environment of Williams. “There’s a real bonding that comes into this team.”
The Anglo-Thai driver applauded the team. “if it was the damage that Logan and I have created for example. I think it’s the true love for the team that creates this situation where everyone starts to dig deep and achieve things. Which I don’t believe many teams can.”