Alex Albon has dismissed that Carlos Sainz’s arrival at Williams has ramped up the pressure on him in Formula 1, citing that he is relishing the “great challenge” ahead.
Albon has rebuilt his reputation at Williams since his torrid time paired with Max Verstappen at Red Bull which resigned him to spending a season on the sidelines in 2021.
The Anglo-Thai driver has batted aside Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant with ease, while he also held a visible measure over Franco Colapinto in his interim spell.
However, Albon is poised to receive his biggest test since partnering Verstappen at Red Bull in 2025 as four-time race winner Carlos Sainz will be in the opposite garage.
Sainz became recognised as one of the best drivers in the sport during his time at Ferrari, helping the team to almost win the Constructors’ Championship last time out.
Indeed, Williams boss James Vowles, who was integral to Sainz turning down interest elsewhere, has counted the Spaniard among the top four on the current F1 grid.
Asked whether there was additional pressure on him to beat Sainz to cement his status, Albon told media including Motorsport Week at the launch of the Williams FW47: “No, if I’m honest, no.
“Maybe I look at it differently to other people but I see it as the better my teammate, the better that I can go up against someone who’s got a big reputation, who’s just come from a very strong year. I think I said it before but possibly his best year in Formula 1 last year.
“I think that’s a great challenge to have but also a positive outlook for me. I believe in myself and I’m happy to go up against anyone.”
Albon and Sainz pulling in the same direction at Williams
Sainz has established a reputation as being a driver who boasts a relentless work ethic and meticulous attention to detail, assets which have helped his past teams improve.
Albon believes such qualities align with his own approach and values, which he thinks will have a positive impact on Williams as the team strives to climb the pecking order.
Pressed on whether he has seen behind the scenes the reasons why Sainz is rated so highly, Albon answered: “Yes, I have.
“I think that he’s a bit of a, you could call it like a thinking driver. I would put myself in the same box in that sense.
“I think it’s good. It’s a good base to work from. I think we work well with each other. Obviously, we haven’t driven that much. We did a little short test in Barcelona, but even the work we do in the simulator, it’s all going in the same direction.
“He’s clearly bringing a lot of information from Ferrari, different ways of working and different ways to optimise their package.
“Obviously, it’s different to Williams, but it’s very interesting, not just for the team, but for myself as well.”
READ MORE – Williams reveals Alex Albon ‘encouraged’ it to sign Carlos Sainz
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