Alex Albon has caught many in the Formula 1 paddock off guard with his strong performances during the opening half of the 2025 season, leaving pundits and fans alike questioning early assumptions. Expectations favored Carlos Sainz to lead Williams’ charge this year, especially after Sainz’s impressive previous season driving for Ferrari.

While Sainz joined Williams as a proven racer fresh from one of his best campaigns, doubts surrounded Albon’s consistency, following his departure from Red Bull. Earlier rivals Nicholas Latifi and Logan Sargeant offered little competition to Albon within the team, but last season’s late inclusion of Franco Colapinto briefly challenged his position. Since Sainz’s arrival, Albon has firmly established himself as the team’s top driver, surprising many with his pace and adaptability.

Albon reflects on competing alongside Sainz

Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Albon acknowledged that perceptions regarding his talent have shifted since Sainz joined Williams. He explained that earlier critics often discounted his performances by attributing his success to weaker teammates.

“Yes, I do [think perceptions have changed],”

Albon said.

“It was easy to dismiss me for my teammates. That was an easy scapegoat to say, ‘Well, he’s doing well, but we don’t know how to quantify him as a driver’.”

Albon also shared that team principal James Vowles approached him positively about Sainz’s addition, emphasizing the value Sainz would bring with his experience and speed. Albon viewed Sainz as a credible benchmark he could measure himself against directly.

“I was confident in who I was, but I think I maybe have surprised some of the paddock. I don’t think the people that know were surprised – this sounds a bit arrogant – but internally in Williams, or the ones I’ve driven for in the past,”

he added.

Understanding the challenges Sainz faces at Williams

Sainz has openly discussed the difficulties he has encountered adjusting his driving style from Ferrari’s car to the Williams machinery. Albon believes his longer tenure at Williams, beginning in 2022, has helped him master the peculiarities and limitations of the team’s vehicle.

Albon remarked,

“We know each other’s styles quite well,”

before explaining the core difference between their approaches.

“The main difference we’ve had is that I have a driving style where I drive around some of the car limitations. I think that’s come from a lot of years of driving the Williams car and accepting it.”

He added,

“I think Carlos is more, ‘I want to drive like this, and you guys have got to give me this’. But in the same context, we’re still talking about the same things. I would say that’s the nuance between us.”

The wider impact of this internal Williams competition

Albon’s outperformance of Sainz introduces a new dynamic within Williams, highlighting how adaptation and experience with a car can be as crucial as outright talent. The team benefits from having two credible drivers pushing each other, which could lead to improved results over the remainder of the season.

With the ongoing challenge of harmonizing driver feedback and car performance, the internal rivalry may drive Williams to further refine their approach, aiming for better competitiveness on the grid. Albon’s strong start has set a benchmark that Sainz will need to match as he continues adapting to the Williams package.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Why does Carlos Sainz have 55?

A. During his career, the number 55 has become closely linked to the Spanish racer, symbolizing his identity both on and off the track. Sainz chose this number because of a clever wordplay with his name: Carlo5 5ainz.