All articles tagged with #alex albon
Williams’ 2026 season has been hampered by more than just a heavy FW48. Alex Albon says the team cannot hide behind weight, as a lack of downforce and persistent balance issues leave Williams well off the midfield, with China showing the car’s troubles. The team plans overnight setup work and a likely pitlane start to improve driveability, while aiming to out-develop rivals and claw back ground.
George Russell will start the 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix Sprint from pole in Shanghai after a strong Friday lap, with Kimi Antonelli second and Lando Norris third while Lewis Hamilton qualifies fourth; Max Verstappen is eighth and Isack Hadjar tenth as the sprint grid is provisionally set, with Alex Albon due to start from the pit lane following a suspension setup change (grid remains provisional until FIA confirmation).
Alex Albon addressed Williams’ decision to skip the private Barcelona test because of delays to the FW48, with the team saying it will run a series of tests (including a VTT programme) in the coming weeks to prepare for Bahrain and the season start in Melbourne, while focusing on laying the foundations for the 2026 car.
Williams had a positive 2025 F1 season, finishing fifth in the Teams' Championship with notable moments including Carlos Sainz's two podiums and strong performances in the second half. Sainz's best moments included his first podium with Williams in Azerbaijan and a second in Qatar, while Albon led in qualifying early on. The team faced challenges like disqualifications and a poor Abu Dhabi finish but remains optimistic for 2026, aiming to build on their progress and avoid complacency.
Alex Albon highlights his P5 finish at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix as his proudest moment, celebrating Williams' improved performance and team culture under James Vowles, which contributed to their best season since 2017 and a strong start to their journey towards becoming a top team.
Alex Albon criticizes current F1 racing rules for encouraging contact and creating a 'contact sport,' citing recent incidents and the influence of track limits and track design, and emphasizes the need for clearer regulations and a change in racing approach.
Williams team principal James Vowles expresses full faith in driver Logan Sargeant despite giving his car to Alex Albon at the Australian Grand Prix due to chassis damage, but uncertainty remains over whether the team will have the second chassis repaired in time for the next race in Suzuka. Vowles attributes the lack of a spare chassis to organizational changes and delays in manufacturing, and while he believes it's feasible, he cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that the repairs will be completed in time for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Williams Racing's team principal, James Vowles, admits that benching American driver Logan Sargeant in favor of Alex Albon for the Australian Grand Prix was a difficult decision, but necessary due to the team's focus on scoring points in the tight competitive order. Vowles acknowledges the challenge of rebuilding Sargeant's confidence but emphasizes the team's support for him. He believes that Sargeant's confidence will return once he gets back in the car and performs well.
Williams boss James Vowles criticizes the team's failure to bring a third chassis to Melbourne, calling it "unacceptable" in modern-day F1 after Alex Albon had to take over Logan Sargeant's car following a crash. Vowles acknowledged the tough decision and vowed significant change, expressing disappointment at the situation and emphasizing the need for improvement. Williams currently sits on zero points in the constructors' standings after the first two rounds of the 2024 season.
Williams driver Alex Albon will take over his teammate Logan Sargeant's car for the remainder of the Australian Grand Prix weekend after Sargeant's crash in Free Practice 1. The team confirmed that they have no third chassis available, forcing them to withdraw the damaged car and make the decision for Albon to compete in Sargeant's car. Sargeant, who had a strong opening day, called giving up his car "the hardest moment" in his career, while Albon expressed gratitude for Sargeant's professionalism and vowed to maximize their potential for the weekend.
Williams has revealed the livery for its 2024 car at a launch event in New York City, featuring a red and white pinstripe design. The team also announced a new partnership with Komatsu and highlighted its driver lineup of Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant. Team principal James Vowles expressed optimism for the upcoming season, following the team's seventh-place finish in the constructors' championship last year.
Formula 1 drivers at Interlagos criticized the tyres, describing them as "terrible to drive" and expressing concerns about degradation and overheating. Williams driver Alex Albon complained that the hard compound was unusable and that managing the tyres was a challenge. Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo also highlighted the extreme degradation and blamed the track surface. However, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc stated that the tyre issues were consistent with previous seasons.
Max Verstappen topped the first practice session for the Mexican GP, setting the fastest time ahead of Alex Albon. The session saw five rookie drivers participating, and Pirelli testing tires. Carlos Sainz experienced a hydraulic issue, while Lewis Hamilton finished in 11th place. Sergio Perez briefly led the session before Verstappen took control, ultimately securing the top spot with a time of 1:19.718.
Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in the rain-disrupted final practice session at the British Grand Prix, with Alex Albon close behind in second place. The session was cut short due to rain, but Leclerc managed to set the fastest lap of the weekend so far. Fernando Alonso finished third, while Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez struggled to make an impact. Lando Norris will be investigated for stopping at the end of the pit lane with a device lodged in his exhaust.
Sky F1's Ted Kravitz sparked rumors of an Alex Albon Red Bull comeback after team boss Christian Horner praised Albon's performance at the Canadian GP. Albon, who was dropped from Red Bull in 2021, has been performing well with Williams. However, with Sergio Perez's recent slump in form, there is speculation that Albon could return to Red Bull. While Red Bull has several options within their own ranks, including Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo, an Albon reunion may not be in the best interests of either side.