Alex Albon delivered a standout performance in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, securing a remarkable sixth-place start and demonstrating just how far Williams has come in recent years. The Thai driver was elated after the session, reflecting on the significant progress the team has made since this time last season.
A Turning Point for Williams?
When praised by Sky Sports about the difference a year makes, Albon responded, “It does! It feels like we are – you know, just the atmosphere seems so different.”
“Never mind the performance of the car, it feels like we’ve really come on strong,” Albon said when asked about the transformation at Williams.
“This time last year, there was only one car in qualifying, and it was a very awkward situation for me and my teammate at that time. But it’s just great. Q3, the car was feeling great, it’s been so much fun to drive honestly, I’ve been enjoying every lap. Very happy.”
Williams has been on a steady trajectory of improvement, and Albon attributes this progress to the car’s increased predictability, especially at the rear. The FW46 appears to be far more stable and easier to manage in difficult phases of a corner, reducing the likelihood of mistakes and crashes.
“Driving-wise, more predictable, especially on the rear of the car, so it’s no secret we’ve had a few crashes and I think this car kind of makes that phase of the corner when the car is starting to move around a bit a lot easier to drive and correct,” Albon explained.
“But then there’s also just a pure feeling of, you know, we got past, we’re on our way, we’ve got a proper update programme coming in, we’re focused already on next year’s car.”
Momentum similar to Red Bull
Albon also noted that the team’s momentum is beginning to resemble that of a top-tier outfit. “I’ve seen the momentum building from 2022 as I joined, and seeing how it’s getting to now, it feels like, you know, much more like a team like Red Bull where I once was.”
Williams, once a backmarker, now finds itself in a position where points are a realistic target at every race. For Albon, this shift in mentality has been a significant change.
“In many ways, it’s a different mindset,” he said. “It feels like, you know, we were fighting for points in previous years, but on our own track we could get it if Monza or Canada came around.”
“This year it feels like we can, we should be able to score points in every race. It will be a dogfight between RB, Alpine, I think every weekend it’s going to be split by a tenth and that’s it.”
The impact of Carlos Sainz
A crucial element of this newfound competitiveness has been Albon’s partnership with Carlos Sainz, who joined Williams this season. The Spaniard’s experience at Ferrari has provided the team with fresh insights and technical knowledge, something Albon has found invaluable.
“He’s definitely pushing me hard. We’re pushing each other to be honest with you,” Albon said. “It’s interesting to hear his feedback as well and even the details. When I talk about his knowledge coming from Ferrari, there’s things in there that we can take, and we can learn from.”
Looking ahead to the race, Albon is cautiously optimistic, especially with rain in the forecast. While a podium might be a stretch, he remains confident that a double points finish is possible if Williams executes the race well.
“Let’s start with the points first,” he said when asked about the potential for a podium. “It’ll be interesting because no one’s driven in the rain before. We’re kind of guaranteeing it’s going to be wet tomorrow. No one’s driven on the inters or the wets. Good luck to the rookies. Let’s see, anything can happen. I’m hoping it’ll be a fairly safe race, but it’s going to be carnage for sure.”
With Albon’s impressive qualifying result and a car that finally seems to be delivering consistent performance, Williams is shaping up to be a serious midfield contender in 2025. The Australian Grand Prix race will be a true test of just how far the Williams team has come—and how much further they can go.
Feature Image Credit: Williams Racing
