Alexander Albon: “We stopped development at the Canadian GP”

Author of a solid season in 2023, Alexander Albon nevertheless had to deal with a Williams FW45 without any evolution over the last 14 races of the season. A choice made by James Vowles, the new head of the team.

Published 26/12/2023 à 16:29

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Alexander Albon: “We stopped development at the Canadian GP”

When counter-steering at the exit of the chicane, watch out for the famous Wall of Champions! © DPPI / Florent Gooden

It was one of the good surprises of the 2023 season of Formula 1. Alexander albon allowed Williams to raise the bar after several seasons at the bottom of the table. For the first time since 2017, the team founded by Sir Frank Williams has climbed beyond 8th place in the Manufacturers' Championship (7th with 28 points). Not bad for a team whose car has not evolved since the Canadian Grand Prix last June!

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The Thai pilot explained this shortened development tactic to the official F1 website. “Since Canada, once we improved the car, we had the next six or seven races where we knew we had to score points. Given the way the world of Formula 1 works and how often everyone improves their car, it wouldn't be long before the others would catch up. And actually, over the course of the season, they outscored us. »

Despite 14 subsequent Grands Prix without the slightest improvement on the Williams FW45, Alexander Albon provided a quality performance to score enough points to remain in seventh place in the Manufacturers' standings, whileAlfa Romeo, Haas et Alpha Tauri continued to work on their car in summer and fall.

P7 in the Constructors!! 😮 Huge well done to all the men and women @WilliamsRacing on an amazing job this year. Time to rest before we come back fighting for bigger and better in 2024, hungrier than ever 😤 pic.twitter.com/vM4eWi1LzN

- Alex Albon (@alex_albon) November 26, 2023

“What we have done is focus our efforts on next year, 2024,” continues Alexander Albon. This is why we stopped development in Canada. As we took a big step forward from 2022, really, we want to take an even bigger step next year. »

According to Alexander Albon, the arrival of James Vowles at the head of the Grove team marked a turning point in the functioning of the Williams team. “The experience he gained at Classic Mercedes for sale (chief strategist from 2010 to 2023. Editor’s note) that he in some way embodies the voice of reason. You know what he says works. We want to be a team that wins the championship, he knows what that looks like, so when he speaks we listen.

I love asking him his opinion on everything Mercedes does, what it did before, what it does now according to him. Everyone on the team, whether it's aerodynamics, strategy or engineering, is also asking him for his opinion. »