Alex Albon has credited new Williams team-mate Carlos Sainz with bringing a “different atmosphere to the team” ahead of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix.
Sainz, a four-time race winner enjoyed a successful four-year stint with Ferrari before heading to Grove.
Sainz ended his debut race for Williams earlier than planned, after spinning behind the Safety Car on Lap 1.
However, the race was not over for Williams and Team Principal James Vowles revealed Sainz was crucial in the decision to pit Albon on Lap 44 for Intermediate tyres as conditions at the Albert Park Circuit changed.
This move proved to be vital in securing a fifth-place finish for Albon, his best race result for the Grove-based team.
In Shanghai, Albon claimed that Sainz has helped the team on and off track by highlighting numerous areas of improvement for the British-based team.
“Yeah, I mean, firstly, Carlos is pushing me both on and off the track,” Albon said.
“In terms of his expectations of the team and where he wants the team to go, it’s definitely something I’m very interested in.
“He’s obviously got a lot of experience from Ferrari, and he knows where the team needs to improve.
“So for me, there’s definitely a feeling that I’m also learning from Carlos.”
Albon praises Sainz for ‘pushing’ Williams
Albon praised the Spaniard for the difference he has already made at Williams: “In terms of pure pace and driving, yes, it’s a different atmosphere within the team.
“We’re pushing each other, but I’m really enjoying it.
“I feel like when you can look at things and study things in detail, it’s more about just putting laps together rather than anything else.
“I think it’s more his approach to perfection and wanting the team to improve.
“I’ve been in the team for over three years now, and there are moments where you kind of settle and accept as time goes on, and you focus on some areas where you know there are weaknesses in the team, but you kind of lose that constant ‘naggingness’ you get when you’re fresh into a team.”
Albon struggled last season with an overweight Williams FW46 and a crash-impacted campaign in what shaped up to be a step backwards compared to a strong 2023.
Totalling just 17 points throughout the year, Williams finished ninth in the Constructor’s Standings with a best finish of seventh place in Azerbaijan.
According to Albon, Sainz has pushed him to focus on the details and fight for what he wants in the FW47, saying “I remember my time at Red Bull and when I came into Williams, it was immediately, ‘This and this and this need to improve.’
“Whereas now, it’s kind of like, ‘Well, I know this is how it is, and I need to focus on these areas.’
“I think in that sense, Carlos is pushing us.
“He’s kind of brought me back to focusing on areas that I shouldn’t settle on and should push the team forward.
“Our goal, at the end of the day, the end of the year, is to become a top team heading into 2026. To do that, we need to make big changes.”
READ MORE – Williams reveals Alex Albon ‘encouraged’ it to sign Carlos Sainz
