Albon has already ‘exceeded expectations’ at Williams

Henry Valantine
Alex Albon speaks to the media. Barcelona February 2022.

Williams driver Alex Albon talks during a press conference during testing. Barcelona February 2022.

Williams team principal Jost Capito said he has been “very impressed” with Alex Albon since he joined, to a degree where he has “exceeded expectations” about how well he has gelled with his new team.

Albon joined Williams after a year on the sidelines as Red Bull’s reserve driver, reportedly on the recommendation of George Russell, who departed the Grove team for Mercedes at the end of 2021.

But he has made a return to Formula 1 with unfinished business, as he looks to show his potential once more in a new environment in 2022 – and team boss Capito has liked what he has seen from his new driver so far.

“He gives very good information, is very good at evaluating the car. He is calm, has a good feeling for the car and works well with the engineers and the team,” Capito said, quoted by Motorsport-Total.

“I think he has just the right balance of being a nice guy on the one hand, but then also finding the necessary aggressiveness in the car and pushing. He is a fighter. I expected him to fit in really well with the team, but he actually exceeded my expectations there.”

Albon himself is confident about making the transition back onto the grid and with a new team, and feels his relationship with Capito alongside the financial backing Williams have received will hopefully pay dividends this year.

“He’s the same away from the media. A great guy,” Albon said of his team boss. “Plus, there’s fresh investment from Dorilton, and they’re also very, very motivated and positive people. It’s a great combination.

“I feel like in front of us is the recipe for a great season and a great future at Williams.”

Albon was able to complete 207 valuable laps of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the three-day shakedown last week, which he added will provide “a healthy basis for the rest of the season” for the team, with plenty of data gathered.

 

With the running that Williams were able to manage with relatively few hiccups, Albon was left optimistic about the new car’s reliability – which will allow him to settle back in from Bahrain onwards and clear up any ring rust from a year away.

“There is nothing that stood out, and that is always a good sign,” the 25-year-old said. “Also, the new rules are good for me because it means everyone else has to start from scratch.

“I’m still a bit rusty, but I’m slowly shaking off that rust. I feel better with every lap.”

 

Albon free to ‘use all’ Red Bull knowledge to help Williams

Alex Albon is free to use any knowledge that he has from Red Bull to help Williams.

 

Alex Albon Williams

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