Albon’s impressive start boosts Williams’ momentum, while Sainz pushes through early struggles, determined to adapt and excel with his new team.
Alex Albon is optimistic about his season so far, especially with the performance of his car, which helped him finish fifth in Australia and seventh in China. The Williams F1 driver is pleased with his strong start but anticipates a tough weekend in Japan, where the competition remains fierce.
“My performance hasn’t really changed much, but we have a car that is performing well,” Albon shared. “It gives me confidence, it’s predictable, and that’s all. It’s unexpected to have such a strong start, exceeding our expectations, but we’ll keep pushing forward.”
This weekend presents a challenge for Albon, but the team is introducing a new front wing, which he hopes will give them an edge. “The midfield is so tight now, every race feels like a battle,” he added.
Albon Reflects on Lawson’s Red Bull Exit and Tsunoda’s Potential
When asked about Liam Lawson’s departure from Red Bull after just two races, Albon expressed sympathy for the New Zealander, believing he didn’t get enough time to prove himself, though he admits he didn’t reach out to Lawson personally. “I’m a bad friend, but I’ve been busy!” Albon joked. “I didn’t get too involved or keep up much with it.”
“I think it’s tough for Liam. Two races are not enough, but it’s a learning experience. The good thing is that Yuki is ready for the challenge. He has the right mindset and believes he can do it. Now, there’s more understanding that the car is difficult to drive, more than when I was there.”
From Albon’s experience, the Red Bull car has a very different balance compared to other cars, and adjusting to it can be challenging. “When a driver moves from a Racing Bull to a Red Bull, one is limited at the front end, the other at the rear, and that’s a bigger shift than in any other car.”
Despite the challenges, Albon believes Lawson can bounce back and that Yuki Tsunoda has the potential to shine. “There’s a big chance for Liam to come back strong, and a great opportunity for Yuki to show he can be fast in a Red Bull.”
For Lawson, returning to a team he knows well, where he achieved good results before, should help him adapt. “It’s all up for discussion, but I’m curious to see how it unfolds!” Albon concluded.
Sainz on the Right Track Despite a Rocky Start
Carlos Sainz admits that his start to the season hasn’t gone as smoothly as he had hoped. The Williams F1 driver has been struggling in the shadow of his teammate Alex Albon, with a crash in Melbourne and a disastrous weekend in Shanghai, despite scoring a point on appeal.
“It’s been a challenge, as it always is when you change teams,” Sainz said. “There’s a learning process, a lot of energy is involved, but we’re on the right track. I was fast in Australia but had an issue, not so fast in China, but we want to understand why and put everything together.”
Sainz attributes his early struggles to bad habits picked up during his time at Ferrari, particularly due to the design of their cars. “I was used to a certain type of car at Ferrari, which made me drive – especially since 2022 – in a very specific way to get the most out of that car.”
“You fall into driving habits that you then apply to your next car. In some corners, it works, but in others, it leaves you at a disadvantage. That’s been a challenge. There’s also a setup aspect that could help me drive the car the way I prefer. So, it’s probably about combining both.”
“The car has strengths and weaknesses that are completely different from what I was driving for three years, and I had to adapt to it. It’s a completely different car, and I was so fast last year with it.”
Sainz Embraces Challenge of Adapting
Sainz feels that the hardest part of adapting is relearning how to approach corners: “From a driving perspective, the biggest challenge is relearning how to approach corners. You have a certain level of muscle memory, and under the pressure of qualifying, you tend to revert to your muscle memory and your old driving style. But you have that free practice time to adjust and change.”
“I remember back in 2022, when I was struggling with the Ferrari, I was fast in practice but come qualifying, my natural instincts kicked in, and I had to be disciplined. It takes time, it’s mentally challenging, and it requires a lot of effort.”
Despite the struggles, Sainz has always embraced these challenges. “It’s a challenge I’ve always enjoyed and one I’ve always managed to overcome. Over my career, I’ve driven five different cars [with different teams] under various regulations, and two races probably aren’t enough to fully understand everything. But I enjoy it, and I love the challenge.”
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Albon Confident After Williams’ Strong Start to 2025 Season Albon Confident After Williams’ Strong Start to 2025 Season
