Albon Praises Williams' Resurgence: 'Mindset Has Changed'

Alex Albon is 'in a good place' at Williams, experiencing the British team's best season since 2016. He credits a significant shift in team mindset and a newfound hunger to compete at the top for their recent success, attributing much of this transformation to team principal James Vowles and other key personnel.

Why it matters:

Williams' journey from perennial backmarkers to a consistent points contender is one of F1's most compelling storylines. This resurgence not only boosts team morale but also validates the strategic changes implemented by James Vowles, showing that a legacy team can claw its way back through structural improvements and a renewed competitive spirit. Albon's satisfaction further underscores the positive internal environment.

The Details:

• Significant Improvement: After a points-less 2020 and just 17 points in 2024, Williams has amassed 102 points this season, with Albon contributing 70 of them.
• Podium Return: Teammate Carlos Sainz secured the team's first podium finish since 2017 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, marking a tangible return to form.
• Mindset Shift: Albon highlights a fundamental change from an expectation of being at the back to an 'open-mindedness' and 'willingness to experiment.'
  • He notes, "There's been a huge shift in terms of open-mindedness, willingness to experiment in general, and this hunger to move and be a top team."
• Vowles' Impact: James Vowles is credited as the driving force behind this transformation, fostering a different atmosphere and a calculated, realistic plan for the future.
• Foundational Changes: Albon points to the 'ground roots' of the team changing most between 2023 and 2024, despite what some might have perceived as a performance 'backstep.' He asserts that "What you're seeing this year comes from a lot of the changes we made a couple of years ago."
• Albon's Personal Rebound: Following his replacement at Red Bull after a disappointing 2020 season, Albon has impressively rebuilt his career at Williams, cementing his position as a valuable F1 driver.

What's next:

While the team's recent success has generated external expectations, Vowles maintains a realistic outlook, emphasizing a 'calculated, realistic plan.' This grounded approach suggests a focus on sustained, incremental progress rather than immediate leaps to the front of the grid.

• Albon appreciates Vowles' honesty regarding team weaknesses and strengths, which makes the journey 'believable.'
• The team aims to continue on this explained path, suggesting further internal development and consistent performance improvements over the coming seasons.
• This trajectory positions Williams as a team to watch, particularly with the significant regulation changes anticipated for 2026, where a solid foundation could pay dividends.