James Vowles has analysed Alex Albon’s recent performances with Williams, explaining the main challenges and how the team is working to address them.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles outlined the primary issues that have slowed Albon in the last few races. While Carlos Sainz has even achieved a podium finish (two if including the Austin Sprint Race), the Thai driver has seemed slightly behind in comparison to his teammate.
Alex Albon is currently eighth in the drivers’ championship, making him the top driver outside the top teams. Despite this, his performances since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix have not matched the strong start to the season. According to Vowles, the reason is linked to a setup issue that the team expects to have resolved for upcoming races.
James Vowles’ analysis
In a video released by Williams, Vowles explained the main difficulties the team has faced with Albon’s car. He revealed that multiple small issues compounded, stating that in Mexico they were not even within the optimal window for the tyres.
James Vowles highlighted that during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the team had focused extensively on preparing the tyres in the best possible condition. This careful approach appeared to be missing in recent rounds. However, tyre management is not the only factor; Vowles also pointed to setup challenges, including how the base setup interacts with the differential and other car systems.
Despite the setbacks, the team has gathered valuable data and is ready to provide Albon with a car capable of replicating his earlier-season results. James Vowles explained that the setup direction for the Brazilian Grand Prix will be closer to what Carlos Sainz uses. While it may not be the fastest configuration in terms of milliseconds, it offers a more consistent platform for the driver to build performance.
Williams is confident that with these adjustments, Alex Albon will be able to return to the strong form he showed in the opening rounds of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
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