Alex Albon has identified his partnership with Carlos Sainz as the driving force behind Williams achieving its strongest Formula 1 campaign in nearly a decade. The British team secured fifth place in the 2025 constructors’ championship, marking its best performance since 2017 and capping a remarkable turnaround from years spent languishing at the back of the grid.
Williams ends podium drought with dual celebrations
The Grove-based squad collected multiple podium finishes for the first time in a decade, with Sainz claiming third-place results in both Azerbaijan and Qatar during his maiden campaign with the team. The Spaniard’s arrival from Ferrari, where he made way for Lewis Hamilton‘s blockbuster move to Maranello, injected fresh energy into Williams after years of inconsistent driver lineups.
Albon’s previous team-mates since joining in 2022 included Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant, neither of whom could match the Thai-British driver’s pace consistently. The 29-year-old finished eighth in the drivers’ standings, one position ahead of Sainz, but emphasised how the competitive environment elevated both drivers throughout the season.
Cultural shift transforms team dynamics
Speaking at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Albon revealed how the partnership changed Williams’ internal approach. The team adopted a more balanced structure between both cars, contrasting with previous seasons where Albon received preferential treatment due to the performance gap with his team-mates.
“Being totally honest, just as an approach between the two cars, much more equal in the way that the team has treated us,” Albon explained. “I could definitely say I had, for the majority, the preferential treatment in previous years.”
The shift created a productive feedback loop between the drivers, with both speaking what Albon described as “a very similar language” about car development and setup preferences. Despite Sainz bringing greater experience at 31 years old, their aligned perspectives on vehicle characteristics fostered genuine collaboration rather than internal friction. This dynamic proved crucial for Williams’ strategic evolution throughout the campaign.
Learning from experience beyond lap times
Albon highlighted that his development accelerated not just through on-track competition but through observing Sainz’s methodical approach to the non-driving aspects of Formula 1. The four-time grand prix winner’s structured methods in simulator work, meeting preparation, and free practice programmes provided templates that enhanced the entire team’s efficiency.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned from Carlos is more the non-driving side of things,” Albon noted. “The way that we conduct meetings and develop the car in the simulator and go around our free practice programmes, things like that, you can see the experience with Carlos in that way.”
The data-sharing between drivers with contrasting styles but similar setup preferences allowed both to identify weaknesses in their respective approaches. Albon acknowledged finding new techniques for corners where he had previously been confident, adapting his driving to extract additional performance from the FW47.
Resurgence built on stability and investment
Williams’ 2025 success represents the culmination of gradual improvement following Dorilton Capital’s takeover and the introduction of Formula 1’s cost cap regulations in 2021. The financial constraints levelled the playing field, allowing Williams to compete more effectively after years when budget limitations forced the team to sign pay drivers simply to survive.
The transformation from the struggling outfit of the late 2010s and early 2020s demonstrates how stability in ownership and regulations can revive historic teams. Team principal James Vowles oversaw the integration of Sainz while maintaining the development trajectory that had begun showing promise in previous seasons. The equal treatment of both drivers reflected confidence in the roster rather than dependency on a single performer, marking a psychological shift as significant as any technical advancement.
Foundation set for sustained competitiveness
The 2025 campaign establishes Williams as a genuine midfield contender rather than an occasional points scorer. With both drivers confirmed for 2026 and the partnership bedded in, the team enters the new regulations cycle with momentum and cohesion that eluded it throughout the previous era. Albon’s growth alongside an experienced team-mate positions him as a potential long-term leader, while Sainz brings the winning mentality required to capitalise when opportunities arise.
The constructive dynamic between the drivers suggests Williams can build on this foundation rather than experiencing the regression that often follows breakthrough seasons. Their similar approach to car development should streamline the transition to 2026’s technical regulations, giving the engineering team clear direction without conflicting feedback that can paralyse development programmes at less harmonious teams.
