Albon: “In Red Bull normal to lose faith in self, and back to F1 with Williams is a ‘Vale, now I have the opportunity to fix it'”

Alex Alebon, Williams Pilotand Carlos is currently with SainZ, this is a demonstration that the second chance can be well. Thai has attended the world deportivo To check in an exclusive interview of how it was defeated in the plotting situation to Red Bull.

Thai born in London (March 23, 1996), 29, lost from that car and admitted that he was doubting himself. He left F1, something for many ways to never return. But he returned louder after a year away from ‘great circus’ to show the world, behind the wheel of a Williamswith quality to shine in F1.

He confirmed this from the beginning and now, years later, he looked at the team’s future of Grove.

How was Alex Albon outside the track and in it? Are you a different person?

Yes, I will say yes, I’m a different person. I don’t think it’s different from the outside of the track and inside, instead, the difference is that by the time I removed the helmet or the helmet. That would be a bit more accurate to describe me. But everyone like this, you know, what will help you become faster, put you in your own space, in your own place. I think I’m a bit more relaxed and happy out of the track, and maybe I’m a bit more intense and aggressive on the track.

And what do you want to do outside of career?

Outside the track, I’m pretty simple. I don’t want to do too much. I don’t like the events or outs of the formula 1. So, I just stayed home. I want to stay in my apartment with my girlfriend, keeping calm, seeing Netflix, which is on the couch, relaxing, spending time with the family. I like golf, I like food, I like to go to different restaurants, which kind of thing.

1. When you go to the Red Bull, when you were suffering from that car next to Max Vrstappen (late 2019 and 2020), did you have time to lose your trust? Or did you know that this is something that only depends on the car?

I think it is normal to lose confidence, self -faith. Obviously, you see and think that you have a strong sporting career, and then you are uncomfortable, you lose confidence, more than the car yourself. But, obviously, you want to drive any car you can, and suddenly, at that time I was fighting to pilot that car. It’s not easy, sure.

How does this pressure manage? Is this one thing to say: Continue to try?

In my opinion, in a large part this is just a matter of preparation, of understanding why I was struggling, focusing on improving those places. And then, when I had a second chance at Williams, it was like: ‘Ok, now I have a chance to fix it.’ Now I have more experience, I know why I have problems, I know what I don’t like about a car and what I want. In my opinion, despite being away from Formula 1, I still gained experience and became a better pilot even though he had not been voted for a year.

Did you say in an interview with a podcast that this car, the Red Bull, was too sensitive to the front. Do you think any pilot can be as fast as the verstappen in that car or is it impossible?

I think at that time, in my experience, it was very sensitive to me. I think now that I learned to drive another car and understand it. Part of the year I was out of F1 dedicated to understanding how I would drive such a car, and focus on the side of things. But that said, obviously … You can see in the pilots facing Max (with the same car), everyone is fighting a little in that car. If the other pilots could match Max with that car? Yes of course. I think many pilots want a ‘sharp’ car like him, but there are others who don’t.

But I think formula 1 is a weird sport. If we see motorcycle pilots, for example, they are always talking about feeling comfortable on a motorcycle, it is like a combination of person and machine. We talk about golf, sticks that don’t fit some players and take a long time to adapt when they change the contract with different suppliers. That’s the issue. In F1 races we do not talk about it. We are just saying: ‘Oh, this teammate is better than anything else.’ And that’s all! At the point. There is no talk about style, rhythm, or get used to something. I say this because it is something that happens in Formula 1. Just talk about it, and it is very important that the pilots are comfortable with the machine they have in their hands.

Then you got to Williams, and you grew up a lot, you got the trust from the beginning. What did Williams give you?

Well, it’s more of a Red Bull. I had problems there and everything went well. If you look at my experience with Formula 1, to Toro Rosso, before going to Red Bull, the reason I went to Red Bull was because I had a very strong year in Toro Rosso. And then I felt that Williams continued to continue where I left him in Toro Rosso, and I built it. I came first.

Do you remember starting with Williams, to reset?

My first memory with Williams was the first race with them, and I got to Q2, I sorted 15º. And it really helped me, mental and emotional. It’s like: ‘Ok, I’m back. I’m back! I’m in a good position. ‘In Williams I felt from the beginning that I was in the group. I think I spent most of the winter thinking about how I was going once I returned to F1. And when I started my first race in a good place, I thought: ‘Ok, we’ll be fine’.

Did you help Williams more family? More than Red Bull? Is Red Bull more synonymous with stress and pressure?

Of course, he is ruthless.

What is the difference between the two?

He was merciless, but at the same time, I still respect Christian (Horner) and Helmut (Marko). I think they give many opportunities to many pilots and I haven’t had problems with them. And, in fact, they helped me with my signing for Williams. I will always be grateful for my chance and for what they have done for me. At Williams, especially at that time (of his sign), we were somewhere else. We are at the end of the grill. There is no pressure and the spotlights on the Red Bull.

But there will be a future …

Yes. The team is growing, for sure. But I have time comfortable. While in the Red Bull, they quickly threw me away.

Are you surprised by the step Williams gave this man’s car? Because it is amazing. You are leading the central zone with most appointments. Do you know in the winter?

No. In my opinion, in reality, the car was probably better than we thought it was in the simulator and everything we did before. We know we will take a step, but we don’t think it’s great. I did not complain.

And for the next year, you think Williams are creating a great car and fighting for successes. Do you think the team is ready for that challenge and final jump?

This is an interesting question. You will only get to that position if you are ready. I think everything is fine. You can’t have a car anymore and you have nothing else. Everything needs to come as a piece. And so, yes, I think if we had a car to win a career, we would also have a team to win a career. But we always talk about being a 2-3-year project.

Do you think it is possible next year you have a car that can aim to win careers driven by a large machine, as expected to be Mercedes, according to the rumors on the paddock? And what is the relationship with Carlos Sainz? Because you said Carlos changed the team’s mind.

I will say that, at first, we have a large power unit (motor), and we know we will have a strong machine next year, but we will compete against Mercedes, McLaren and Alpine (which will mounted the same power unit), as I think Alpine will be very strong next year with a Mercedes power unit. So, although we say that Mercedes’ power unit is better than others, it would not be easy to fight the successes.

I think it’s still a trip, a lot of -a -echo project. You see this every year that changes the rules: the top teams, if there is a new regulation, take a big step. The team in the central zone is longer to catch up. We should be in a better position than us when the final regulation changed, but I still think we are not. My main goal of 2026 was to fight podiums. I don’t think this happens all the races, but some races throughout the next year will be amazing.

And with Carlos, all after Miami’s misunderstanding? What is the like he has on the team?

Yes, of course, all good. We always have a great culture on the team. I don’t think it’s fair to say that before it is bad. In my opinion, in the last three years we have shown that we have a strong increase in the performance year -to the one. We are more competitive. I think this year obviously we have a strong car. This car was built in May-June last year, but certainly what Carlos could contribute and could contribute was Ferrari’s experience. His knowledge, but also the details. The little things where a leading team is invested in and looking at small details, and that is the best of the team.

Thanks, Alex

Thank you