One of the most impressive drivers so far in the 2023 Formula One season has been Alex Albon.
The Thai driver has scored all of Williams’ 11 points this year as they sit P7 in the Constructors’ Championship. They jumped ahead of Haas and Alfa Romeo thanks to Albon’s P8 at Silverstone.
Rumours recently have suggested that the former Red Bull and Toro Rosso driver could be a target for Ferrari in 2025 as the contract with Carlos Sainz runs out at the end of next season.
While confirming they’re just rumours, the two-time F1 podium finisher admitted he is happy to hear about such things.
“Yeah I would say so, good rumours are always nice. They can go both ways, rumours. But on that side, I think it highlights the year is going well so far.
“I can only be happy to hear them things. Of course, they are only rumours. But yeah, all good, I’m not complaining.”
Albon has been consistently delivering the goods on Saturday and Sunday afternoons so far this year.
He’s made four Q3 appearances to date this year — including at the last three events. The 27-year-old has scored points at Bahrain, Canada and Great Britain, too.
Albon reflected on the campaign so far and how he’s feeling good in the FW45.
“Yeah, I feel like I’m in a good place. There’s no denying that.
“I feel like, firstly, this is my second year with the same team, which is always a bit of a luxury in some ways. I feel like I come to every race weekend now… I know how the car felt last year — I know the areas that we struggled with.”
For the first time in his F1 career, the Thai started this season in the same team he drove for the previous year.
Albon believes that is important as he is familiar with the characteristics of how the Williams handles and behaves. It’s giving him the opportunity to get the best out of himself and the package underneath him.
“Cars don’t change that much — downforce can — but characteristics take a bit more time to get used to or a bit more time to change. Just with that kind of inherent experience, I do feel confident in the car.
“It feels like we’ve been executing weekends very well this year. There’s not been many moments — apart from Melbourne [when he crashed out of P6] — that I would say we haven’t been able to execute points when we had the chance to.
“So things are going well. I do feel like I’m driving well. But also as a team we’re making great progress. I think the two together have kind of just shown these last three races what we can do.”
Nonetheless, after three circuits in succession where the rapid speed of the FW45 on straights was a good advantage, Hungary is tight and twisty in sectors 2 and 3. Albon expects a reality check for the team this weekend.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen every race. I think this weekend is going to be a bit of a reality check. We’re still quite characteristic in where we’re quick or not quick. But yeah, that’s it, it’s just being in the flow.”
Photo credit: Williams Racing
