Alex Albon feels Carlos Sainz can help ‘elevate’ Williams in a way Franco Colapinto couldn’t…Read
Alex Albon feels Carlos Sainz can help ‘elevate’ Williams in a way Franco Colapinto couldn’t
Williams had a mixed 2024 season, showing flashes of progress but being hampered by numerous incidents and crash damage throughout the year.
Despite these setbacks, the British team finished ninth in the Constructors’ Championship, marking an improvement compared to recent years.
Williams demonstrated competitive form on a variety of tracks, indicating they are moving closer to the midfield battle.
Heading into 2025, the team is aiming for further strides forward.
A key element in their push for improvement is new signing Carlos Sainz, who brings experience and determination after earning his place in Formula 1 against the odds.
Sainz could play a crucial role in elevating Williams’ performance, particularly alongside Alex Albon, who has been a consistent and reliable presence since joining the team.
Williams’ 2024 car maintained its hallmark straight-line speed, which made them especially competitive at high-speed circuits like Monza and Spa-Francorchamps.
These performances highlighted their focus on top speed and efficiency in previous years.
However, they became a more versatile contender in 2024, securing points on tracks with very different characteristics, such as the tight streets of Monaco and the fast, flowing layout of Silverstone.
Albon is optimistic about Sainz’s arrival, believing the Spaniard’s expertise can help drive the team forward in ways Franco Colapinto couldn’t.
While Colapinto was promoted to F1 from Formula 2 for 2024, he struggled to make an impact.
Albon highlighted that Sainz’s experience from his four years at Ferrari will be invaluable, as it allows the team to focus on long-term progress rather than training rookies.
Reflecting on past challenges with rookies, Albon noted the difficulties Williams faced in integrating drivers like Colapinto and Logan Sargeant.
Sargeant joined the team in 2023 after progressing from F2 but managed to score only one point in 37 entries and 36 race starts.
Colapinto, meanwhile, stepped up to replace Sargeant but lacked extensive experience, having driven Williams’ F1 car only during an FP1 session at the 2024 British Grand Prix.
Albon emphasized the stability and continuity that a driver pairing like himself and Sainz can bring.
Both drivers are on long-term contracts, allowing them to focus on elevating the team rather than simply optimizing individual weekends.
Albon expressed excitement about this dynamic, saying it creates a foundation for sustained improvement.
Despite the promise of their driver line-up, some uncertainty remains.
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has speculated that Colapinto could replace Albon before the end of 2025, potentially disrupting the team’s stability.
For now, though, Williams appears to have a strong pairing with Sainz and Albon, who collectively bring a wealth of experience compared to many other teams on the grid.
On-track, Williams’ performances in 2024 were solid but unspectacular.
They managed to score points in several races, though they rarely contended for positions higher than the lower end of the top 10.
This left them lagging behind teams like Alpine and Haas, which developed their cars at a faster pace over the course of the 24-race calendar.
Alpine, in particular, capitalized on opportunities like the chaotic Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where they secured a double podium finish.
To compete more consistently, Williams will need their drivers to avoid the costly crashes that plagued them in 2024.
Incidents involving Colapinto and Sargeant drained financial and developmental resources, forcing the team to divert attention away from car improvements.
With Sainz and Albon at the helm, Williams has a better chance to minimize these setbacks and focus on long-term growth.
As the team looks ahead, they have set their sights on breaking into the midfield battle more consistently.
The foundation for this progress lies in leveraging the experience of their drivers and building on the versatility they showcased in 2024.
However, to truly move up the grid, Williams will need to combine sharper race execution with continued car development and a reduction in costly mistakes.
While the road ahead remains challenging, the team appears to be on a more stable trajectory after years of languishing at the back of the field.
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