Williams has undergone significant changes in recent years, with James Vowles taking over as Team Principal ahead of the 2023 season. Despite a challenging start to the year without an official Technical Director, Williams has shown promise under Vowles' leadership, thanks in no small part to driver Alex Albon.
Albon, a Thai-British racer who previously drove for Red Bull Racing, has delivered three points finishes this season. Notably, his standout performance came at the Canadian Grand Prix where he demonstrated "the drive of champions".
Alex Albon - 2023 British Grand Prix
Photo: Williams
Vowles spoke about Albon's remarkable drive during an appearance on the Beyond The Grid podcast. He commended Albon for his humility and lack of ego while acknowledging his exceptional talent behind the wheel. Having worked with some of Formula 1's greatest drivers in the past including Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, Vowles recognizes that Albon possesses all necessary traits to achieve greatness.
What impressed Vowels most was how flawlessly Albon handled immense pressure from faster cars behind him during critical moments at Canada’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Despite being chased by four cars with better tires than his own, he made no mistakes and showcased masterful defensive driving skills.
Furthermore, observers noted how skillfully he positioned his car on crucial corners such as Turn 10 throughout the race—signs of an intelligent racer who constantly seeks improvement even amidst intense competition.
While many may consider him underrated due to lackluster results earlier in his career compared to more high-profile teammates, Vowles believes Albon is maximizing the potential of Williams' FW45 and consistently driving it to its limit. This ability to extract every ounce of performance from the car, combined with his strong work ethic and dedication to improvement, make Albon an invaluable asset for Williams.
Vowles has also recognized Albon's leadership qualities as vital for building a successful team in the future. Despite acknowledging areas where he could further excel, Vowles firmly believes that Alex Albon can lead Williams back into contention for podium finishes and even victories.
When asked if he would consider making Albon a cornerstone of the team's future plans, Vowles responded with resounding confidence: "Yes, I would. He's got leadership qualities to him... I hope he’s very much a part of it [the future]."
Photo: Williams
Albon has already contributed significantly to Williams' success this season with two other points-scoring finishes. His tenth-place finish at Bahrain Grand Prix showcased his ability to navigate challenging circumstances while securing valuable points for the team. Similarly, at the British Grand Prix last time out, he secured another impressive eighth-place finish.
These consistent performances have propelled Williams into seventh place in the constructors' standings after ten rounds—the best position they've held in recent years—putting them ahead of Haas F1 Team, Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen, and Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda.
Time will tell if James Vowels' optimism about Alex Albon comes to fruition but given their promising partnership thus far this season and their shared determination for success on both personal and organizational levels—it seems likely that they will continue pushing forward together toward greater achievements on Formula 1 tracks around the world.
