“It brings energy back to the team”: Why Alexander Albon’s sixth place in Belgium was so important for Formula 1 team Williams
Traditional Formula 1 team Williams traveled from Belgium to Hungary with “good momentum”: Alexander Albon’s sixth place in the Grand Prix gave the Grove-based team a new boost.
“We needed that,” said Albon. “We’ve had a few difficult races. But this success brings energy back to the factory and here at the track.”
Williams back on track thanks to new parts
Previously, Albon and his Williams teammate Carlos Sainz had to watch as their direct rivals from the Formula 1 midfield introduced technical updates one after the other, while they themselves received no new parts. “We’ve fallen behind a bit,” said Albon. “So it was a good statement from us to show that we can score good points.”
Especially since Williams had major new parts on the car for the first time in weeks, which had an immediate positive effect. “That was a statement in itself,” said Albon.
Sainz shares this assessment and hopes that the Spa result will provide “some momentum for the second half of the season,” because “it was getting tighter and tighter and we were struggling a bit with the results.”
The cooling problem has not yet been solved
Now the Spaniard is counting on “a little bit of leeway” from the new parts, but expects a ‘difficult’ race weekend in Hungary. His reasoning: “I think we’ll be back to the performance level we had in Spielberg or maybe even Barcelona, because Budapest has always been a tough track for us.” However, the update will at least make Williams a contender for points.
Albon also does not expect a repeat of his P6 finish in Belgium, if only because the Williams upturn “cannot necessarily be transferred to every race.”
In addition, Williams still does not have its cooling problem completely under control. It is an “ongoing process,” explains Albon. “We still have things to improve this weekend.”
“You could say that Silverstone and Spa – classic tracks with classic weather – suited us a bit. But we also have a few new things for this weekend to make it better. We’re definitely moving in the right direction. And if we get the cooling right, we can go even faster.”
Albon clearly ahead of Sainz in direct comparison
The latter is also Sainz’s goal after clearly losing the internal Williams team duel against Albon so far – even though many observers had expected the exact opposite outcome. But for Albon, “things are just going well at the moment,” he says.
“I learned a lot from my time at Red Bull and then gained experience over the years. This year stands out. I say it often, but I think the team has done a fantastic job of giving me a car that I can deliver results with.”
Why Albon will have an easier time in 2025
Albon explains that this year’s Williams FW47 is “more predictable” and easier to drive than some of his previous cars. “You can stay at the limit better, and we don’t have those sudden breaks like we did last year. That gives you confidence that you can push the car more and more. And when you feel comfortable, you drive consistently and well.”
But how consistent will Williams remain? Team principal James Vowles warns against too much euphoria: “There will continue to be tracks where we are weaker and others where we are stronger.
“Spa was a strong track. I think Monza will also be a strong track for us. Budapest, on the other hand, will be a weaker one. But I’m still going into the race hoping to score points.” Just like his two drivers.
