Alex Albon: Williams' Resurgence, a New Partnership, and a Thai Grand Prix Dream

05 June 2025

The 2025 Formula 1 season has seen a resurgent Williams team make significant strides, and at the heart of their success is the consistent performance of driver Alex Albon. The Thai driver has been instrumental in the team's newfound form, and in a candid chat, he attributes their jump up the grid to the "hard work that's been done behind the scenes," a steady, year-on-year progression that is now paying off.

A New Chapter: The Albon-Sainz Dynamic
A major change for Williams this season has been the arrival of a new teammate, the experienced Carlos Sainz Jr. from Ferrari. This new partnership has been a key factor in the team's development. Albon describes the dynamic as "great," highlighting Sainz's "Ferrari knowledge" as a major asset that has helped them "think outside the box."
He explains that there is no single team leader. Instead, he and Sainz work as equal partners, sharing a "same pie in terms of the direction that we're leading the team." The collaboration has been incredibly effective: Albon brings his deep understanding of the team's "DNA and characteristics," while Sainz brings a fresh perspective, having come from a high-performing car. Together, they are establishing a "good balance of exploration" and leveraging their combined experience to push the team forward. The results speak for themselves, with Williams sitting in a strong position in the Constructors' Championship with 59 points, a tally that surpasses their combined total from the past three seasons. Of that total, Albon has contributed 46 points, placing him 8th in the Driver's standings.

In the Moment: Goals and Aspirations
Despite the fantastic start to the season, Albon remains pragmatic about his personal goals. "I'm pretty boring when it comes to that kind of stuff," he admits, preferring to "be in the moment" and live "each weekend as it comes." He’s focused on "maximizing every weekend" rather than chasing specific targets like podiums, though he acknowledges that a chaotic race with safety cars and mixed conditions could present an opportunity. He matched his best-ever finish with the team with a fifth-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix and later again at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
This realistic approach is a reflection of the team's focus on long-term growth. Albon reveals that much of the team's energy is already shifting towards the 2026 car, preparing for the massive rule changes coming that year.

2026 Regulations: An Unlevel Playing Field?
The topic of the upcoming 2026 regulations is a major point of discussion in the F1 paddock, and Albon offers a fascinating perspective. He believes that contrary to a more level playing field, the rule changes will likely do the opposite. "I think the field [will] spread out quite a lot as some teams get it right and some teams have to play catch up," he explains, referencing the significant performance gaps that emerged after the last major rule change in 2022.
However, he is optimistic about Williams' prospects. Their partnership with the Mercedes power unit, which he believes will be strong, and the philosophical changes they've made to their current car will serve them well. These developments suggest Williams is in a solid position to tackle the new regulations head-on, even if the grid as a whole becomes more separated.

A Thai Dream: The Pride of Southeast Asia
As the only Southeast Asian driver on the grid, Albon feels a deep connection to the region. He describes the Singapore Grand Prix as a "home race," where he feels a "huge feeling of support and love." He is a visible and proud ambassador for Thailand and Southeast Asia every time he gets in the car.
The excitement surrounding a potential Thai Grand Prix is palpable, and Albon has been a key figure in the discussions. While he can't share any specific details, he confirms that the project is "very serious." He notes that the Thai Prime Minister has been directly involved, meeting with F1 representatives, a level of commitment that he hasn't seen from other countries with similar ambitions. The Thai cabinet has even approved a substantial $1.2 billion bid to bring the race to Bangkok by 2028. For Albon, having a Thai Grand Prix alongside Singapore would be a dream come true. He has even seen a proposed street circuit layout, describing it as "very interesting" and a design that could serve up some good racing.