Alex Albon says he feels “deserving” of a race-winning car in Formula 1 but claims that he wants that step to happen with Williams amid speculation over his future.
Albon has elevated his name into the reckoning when it comes to courting a seat with the leading teams with a series of stellar showings since his F1 return in 2022.
The Anglo-Thai racer had been touted as a potential alternative to Carlos Sainz at Ferrari until the Italian marque announced it had signed Lewis Hamilton from next season.
The Briton will vacate his position at Mercedes and Albon has been named as a prime contender for that drive, along with being linked with a move back to Red Bull.
Although Williams boss James Vowles revealed Albon retained a contract for 2025, he did suggest that he wouldn’t stand in the driver’s way if a rival side made an approach.
Albon has reiterated that he believes he is capable of competing for victories and he asserts that the team’s progress will determine whether he commits long-term.
“Where I stand is: I’m very excited to see how this FW46 develops, I want to see how the car feels in Bahrain and the subsequent four, five, six races and really get a feel for the progression that I hope we’ve made as a team,” Albon said at Williams’ launch event.
“My whole focus is on Williams and that’s where I see myself. The rate of progression, to me, is also very important, so time will tell.
“I feel like I’m very close to my peak. There’s always improvements to be done and there’s still areas to improve.
“But generally, with my experience now and where I am, I feel like I am deserving of a car that can score podiums and fight for wins. And that’s just being totally honest with how I see myself.
“More than anything, I want that team to be Williams. And that’s where I put all my work and all my efforts into. And outside of that, that’s just really: how does it fall into place?
“It’s very clear to me, especially when you see the driver market, there’s a huge interest in teams wanting the same driver for ’25 and ’26. That’s how it looks like it’s playing out. And let’s see about that.
“Realistically I want to be with the team. If the team is where I want it to be, it will be a long-term contract. We’re gonna go all the way or nothing. That’s my idea with it.”
Williams climbed from the foot of the Constructors’ Championship up to seventh last term, but Vowles has admitted that further steps in the interim might be tough.
Instead, the ex-Mercedes Strategy Director has pushed through plans to revamp the infrastructure at its Grove base with an eye on the upcoming 2026 regulation overhaul.
Albon has hailed the close relationship he shares with Vowles, documenting how his team boss has ensured that he remains involved in the squad’s plans for the future.
“James always keeps me up to date with where the team is at, the progress and the areas we need to work on, the areas that I can help him improve and whatnot,” he explained.
“He’s very open in that sense, which is obviously a very nice relationship to have with your team principal.
“It’s going to take time. I think that 2026-27 is the period of time where I think we’re going to be able to consistently fight for podiums, and obviously, that’s quite far away.
“I just have to be happy with the journey that we’re on and the progress that we’re making.
“That’s pretty clear in my view of where I see the team and where I want the team to be. And of course, I will be assisting and pushing for that as far as I can.”
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