Albon: Our car is clearly better than our results

Speaking at a press conference in Qatar, Alex Albon said Williams’ results this year do not reflect the car’s speed capabilities, as the team has been unable to overcome a long losing streak.

Alex Albon: “Of course the two previous Grand Prix were not easy for us, and the most difficult part was for the mechanics and those working at the team base. We had several accidents, although not always our fault, but the team still managed to put two cars on the start line, allowing us to fight for the points.

Overall it was difficult, but everyone remained optimistic – I think this is characteristic of Williams in general. Moreover, in terms of the car’s capabilities, everything is not so bad, because in Mexico we reached the last qualifying, in Brazil we were on the 2nd line of the protocol on Saturday before the accident occurred, and in Las Vegas we were unlucky again.

In general, everything is not as bad as it seems from the outside. It’s just that we are chased by difficulties, and when problems occur one after the other, this is somehow abnormal. This year there were too many, but unfortunately it is what it is.

Part of what I will remember from this season is that our car is clearly better than the results we actually showed. But last year, for example, we finished the season in 7th place in the Constructors’ Championship, although I can’t say that the Williams car always had the seventh fastest time. But we have managed to take full advantage of all available options.

We can say that this year it is the other way around. In my opinion, we were unlucky from the very first race, and even when we had some chances, we often missed them. But if the Alpine team has already presented the third or fourth set of new products during the season, Williams has only implemented a large-scale chassis update this year.

Let’s put it this way: pace-wise we are about where we expected, but we just can’t use it. But there are reasons for everything, and the changes that have taken place at the team base in Grove during the year should help us in the future.

I will also have a new partner next season, although to be honest, Carlos Sainz and I don’t communicate that much yet. Perhaps I would like our contacts to be more active. Of course, after the tests in Abu Dhabi we will be very interested to hear his opinion about our car, because he will have the opportunity to compare Williams and Ferrari.

Perhaps he will see with fresh eyes and be able to assess what our strengths and weaknesses are. Right now, this is the type of communication I’m most looking forward to. I remember that when I joined Williams after a period of working with Red Bull, I tried to change a lot in the team, but now I have been here for three years. It’s great that we now have a driver with Ferrari experience with us and I’m sure he can give us a lot.”