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Albon’s Strong Start Signals Hope for Williams in 2025

After securing a second double points finish of the season at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Alex Albon has impressively notched points in four of the initial five races of 2025. This run includes three consecutive points finishes, a milestone not previously achieved during his tenure with Williams.

The season kicked off in Melbourne, where Albon achieved his best result with the team, finishing fifth in an eventful race characterized by rain at Albert Park. Initially appearing to finish fourth due to a five-second penalty handed to Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli, this decision was later overturned, officially placing Albon in fifth.

Albon’s joy was palpable during the post-race interviews, showcasing his enthusiasm: “I wish this wasn’t the first race because there’s not the appreciation for a P4. When you grind it out and you’ve had a tough season and then you get that P4, it’s amazing. We’ve just come in and we’ve immediately got P4!”

Williams team principal James Vowles echoed Albon’s optimism regarding the car’s performance, stating, “I don’t think it’s Australia-specific. We were actually fast in Bahrain testing. That’s a completely different track; it’s a different surface. We were fast when it was 48 degrees on track on Friday, and fast in the wet.”

Vowles further emphasized that a mix of conditions appears to suit the team’s car perfectly. Subsequent races reinforced this sentiment: conditions at the Chinese GP were warm and dry, while the Japanese GP experienced cooler, slightly damp weather. Although Bahrain didn’t unfold as planned, the team’s performance in Saudi Arabia reflected a speedy car navigating similar weather conditions.

Albon’s ability to maintain competitive corner speeds elucidates the Williams car’s versatile performance, as he finished seventh after disqualifications in China and ninth in Japan. In Saudi Arabia, Albon benefitted from DRS assistance from his new teammate, Carlos Sainz, ensuring he remained ahead of Isack Hadjar to secure another points finish in ninth.

Throughout his time at Williams, Albon has consistently demonstrated his capabilities as a driver, routinely outperforming former teammates Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant. While rookie Franco Colapinto introduced a new challenge after switching from Sargeant mid-2024, Albon ultimately outqualified Colapinto significantly and outscored him in their shared races.

After a challenging stint at Red Bull, which left him without a race seat in 2021, Albon returned to F1 in 2022 with Williams, a season marred by challenges, including an episode of appendicitis that sidelined him during the Italian GP. Despite finishing 19th in the championship with just three points, his consistent proximity to points in several races highlighted his potential.

Progress was evident in 2023 as Albon contributed to nearly all of Williams’ points, helping the team finish seventh in the constructors’ standings, with Albon finishing 13th in the drivers’ championship. However, 2024 posed fresh obstacles for La Williams, with numerous crashes and retirements leading to a ninth-place finish in the constructors’ standings. This year, though, promises a fresh start, with Albon posting the best initiation to a season since his days with Red Bull and marking Williams’ finest start since 2016.

This season, Albon teamed up with Sainz, who transitioned from Ferrari following the remarkable move of Lewis Hamilton to the Italian team. Expectations for Sainz were high, while Albon’s were moderated, given Sainz’s prior achievements. So far, however, Albon has exceeded expectations, outperforming Sainz across the initial races. Despite Sainz’s retirement in Bahrain, he finished just ahead of Albon in Jeddah, an indication of his expanding comfort with the car.

Albon’s remarkable performance is underscoring a beneficial partnership with Williams. Vowles remarked on Albon’s leadership qualities, noting, “What I love about Alex is he’s a leader. When things get difficult, he pulls forward, irrespective of what the circumstances are, and lifts the team back up to emotional strength.”

With a promising car and fewer significant crashes than last season, the team anticipates the new regulations for 2026 with optimism, especially as experts suggest these changes may favor those utilizing Mercedes power units. Albon’s support base, particularly from Southeast Asia, also grows, especially following the captivating storyline in the recent season of Drive to Survive, highlighting his strong connection to Thailand, with plans hinting at a possible Thai Grand Prix in the near future.

As his contract approaches termination after the 2026 season, Albon remains dedicated to both Williams and the goal of navigating the impending regulation changes alongside Sainz. With 19 races still to go this season, cautious optimism prevails. Should Albon’s trajectory continue this way, there are promising prospects ahead for both him and Williams as they forge into the future of Formula 1.

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