F1 News
This is what Albon is missing to become a world champion
Williams successfully achieved their first points of the season in Monaco, after Alex Albon finished 9th. This now moves Williams to P8 in the Constructors standings, ahead of Alpine and Sauber. Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Chief Engineer Dave Robson joined hosts Tom Clarkson, and former champion Damon Hill, where he praised the Thai-Brit driver for his performance, and committment to the team.
Albon joined Williams in 2022. In 2023, he scored all the points for the team, except one, which was achieved by his teammate Logan Sargeant in Austin. Almost single-handedly, Albon helped Williams to finish seventh in the Constructors standings. Nevertheless, this season the team has faced significant challenges, including not having a spare chassis. With Albon's performance in Monte Carlo, the team finally has some points.
“I think he is exceptionally good, he's exceptionally quick, he's also very smart, I think. And his feedback that goes into those set ups is really important,” said Robson. Albon could be found being a team player in Imola when he provided the team with some vital information to help Sargeant. Despite his car's issues causing a red flag, Albon continued to provide useful insight.
'He just needs the car'
Robson has worked with George Russell, as well as former world champion Jenson Button. He has no doubts that Albon has what it takes to become a champion himself: "He's got really good pace. He's got a lot of intelligence, works really well with his engineers. And so far, deals with the pressure very well. So you've heard James Vowels say it as well, he's got everything he needs, except the car right at this moment to be world champion.”
Albon announced in May that he had extended is contract with the British team until the end of 2027. He has even credited his extension to the confidence he has both within the team, and the new Mercedes engine for the 2026 regulation. Robson also believes this will help the team: "We've got the big rule change coming up, which hopefully provides us an opportunity to catch up without having to work at two or three times the pace of everybody else.”