Williams to Address Albon's Recent Dip in Form

Williams team principal James Vowles has assured Alexander Albon that the team will take measures to address his recent dip in form, acknowledging that issues with the car's setup and tire management have contributed to his struggles.

Why it matters:

After a strong season that saw him emerge as a top midfield driver, Albon's recent performance slump is concerning for Williams, especially as the team aims to consolidate its position and continue its upward trajectory. Ensuring both drivers can consistently perform is crucial for their long-term goals and a return to regular points finishes.

The Details:

• Performance Disparity: Since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Albon has experienced a significant dip, failing to score points in the last four Grands Prix. In contrast, teammate Carlos Sainz secured a podium finish in Azerbaijan, marking Williams' first since 2017.
• Team Responsibility: James Vowles admitted that the team is partly responsible for Albon's struggles, citing issues with getting the tires to optimal operating temperature and an incorrect car setup.
  • Vowles specifically mentioned: "We weren’t there in terms of getting the tyres absolutely where they’re nailed to be. And I don’t think we were quite right on the set-up as well – the correspondence between basic car set-up and how we use our differential and other tools as well."
• Learning and Adjustment: Despite the setbacks, Vowles believes these failures have provided a clear pathway for improvements in Brazil and beyond. The team has identified a setup direction that aligns more closely with Carlos Sainz's successful configuration, aiming to make the car more 'together' and driveable for Albon.
• Collaborative Data Use: The team is now leveraging data from both Albon and Sainz to find a more consistent platform. "Through failure, I think actually we found a pathway on how to operate the car with a combination of Carlos and Alex’s data," Vowles stated.

What's next:

The Williams team is hopeful that the adjustments identified will lead to improved performance at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix. The challenge will be to provide Albon with a more driveable car that offers a consistent platform, even if it's not the absolute fastest.

• The Brazilian GP presents another opportunity for Williams to capitalize on potentially mixed conditions, similar to their podium success in Azerbaijan. The sprint format weekend in Interlagos also offers additional points-scoring chances, as demonstrated by Sainz's podium in Cota.
• Vowles concluded, "There’s a set-up direction that we now know we need to be taking from Brazil onwards, which is more similar to where Carlos is, but it’s just making sure the car’s more together for him. So it’s a good platform to build from."