“I still believe in this team and what we can achieve” - Alex Albon
We caught up with Alex shortly after he committed to a sixth year with Atlassian Williams F1 Team
Published
18 AUG 2026
Est. reading time
5 min
Alex Albon will continue to race for Atlassian Williams F1 Team in 2027, extending his time with the team into a sixth season.
With the announcement confirming his commitment to Williams, Alex reflects on why he believes in the team’s long-term ambitions, the progress he has witnessed since returning to Formula 1, and why this year’s challenges have only strengthened his determination to help turn things around.
“One tough year doesn’t paint the full picture”
For Alex, the decision to remain with Williams is rooted in the bigger picture.
“I think one tough year doesn’t paint a full picture of the story that I’ve had with Williams,” he says. “I’ve seen progress year to year.
“Of course, it’s been a frustrating year so far, but it doesn’t make me not believe in this team, its ambitions, and what I believe the team can achieve.”
That belief has been reinforced by the response to this year’s difficulties, with Alex seeing a renewed determination across the organisation to understand and address the issues affecting the FW48.
“Even though it’s been a tough year, the response of the team back at the factory, and the work that’s been put in to understand our issues, has been huge,” he explains.
“In many ways, it has felt like we’ve needed this tough moment to really accelerate some of the aggressive plans to fix some core problems within the car that have plagued us for years.
“I haven’t seen the team sink their teeth into something so aggressively in the way they have this year, so I really do believe we’re going to find the reasons why we’ve been going through these issues.”
A relationship built on progress
Alex’s decision is also influenced by the relationships he has built across Williams since returning to the team in 2022.
“Obviously, I have a great relationship with the team,” he says. “I really do enjoy working with everyone – the team at the factory, the team at the racetrack, but also the board and James [Vowles] himself.
“We’ve clearly formed a strong relationship over the four or five years that we’ve been working together.”
That relationship has given Alex a close view of the transformation at Grove, while the continued investment in people has provided further encouragement for what lies ahead.
“We’ve also hired some great people within the organisation, targeting areas we know we’ve been struggling in as a team. I think it’s great to see how honest we are about that.
“Speaking with James, and him showing me the planning around the number of people who’ve joined the team in the last 12 months, but also how he’s still looking at other areas of the company – it’s clear the investment and the strategy towards powering our workforce, and hiring the best of the best, is what’s going to help us get to the top quicker.”
Remembering how far we’ve come
Alex has plenty of memories from his time in Grove, and is now the most experienced driver in our history, but some moments stand out above the rest.
“My first race with Williams is a standout moment, just being back in Formula 1 with a team that gave me so much support from day one,” he says.
Canada 2023 was another pivotal weekend, as Williams introduced an upgrade that helped change the trajectory of its season.
“Canada 2023 stands out a lot too – that was the first time, under James, that we had an amazing upgrade that basically turned our year around.
“Qualifying P4 in Zandvoort the same year was another testament to the progress we were making.”
But perhaps the clearest reminder of that progress came at the start of 2025.
“The first race weekend in Melbourne last year, when we were able to deliver such a competitive car so early in the final set of regulations – coming from a team that had the slowest car in 2022 to out-qualifying the Ferraris in 2025.
“It’s a good moment to reflect on and to show the importance of not overreacting to what we’re going through this year, and to remember that it’s still the same people, the same team, that were able to compete with the very best last year.”
Alex made his 100th start for the team at the 2026 Hungarian GP
“We need to stay together”
While this season has tested the team, Alex is keen to acknowledge the continued support from the Williams fanbase.
“Thank you for staying with us and continuing your support throughout this year,” he says. “I still see a huge number of blue hats and blue flags for us, so I appreciate all of you.
“It’s times like this that we need to stay together in order to come out stronger. And when we get back to the level of competitiveness we showed last year and beyond, it’ll taste all the sweeter.”
More determination for the future
With his future settled, Alex’s focus now turns to helping Williams accelerate its recovery.
“The future is very much the same as what I’m doing now – getting involved with the team, trying to help as much as we can to accelerate the learnings and the progression to get back to the top quicker,” he says.
“There is even more hunger and determination from myself to make sure we get back as quickly as we can.
“The only thing you’ll see is the same level of commitment, if not more, to make sure this works.”
And while the current focus is on solving the problems facing the team today, Alex is equally excited by the changes taking place behind the scenes.
“I’m interested to see how the new hires will come in and shape the team,” he says. “We already have a great group of people at Grove, but we do need fresh minds and ideas to come through – a new way of thinking, a new way of working around manufacturing and production.
“I’m excited to see these roles become embedded within the team and for progress in these areas to begin.
“I know it doesn’t take one person, but everyone together to drive this change and strive for more.”
Earn Exclusive Rewards
Get access to exclusive events, digital experiences, unlock collectables and get closer to the team and drivers!
Learn More
Latest
Trending
© 2026 The Williams Group, under licence to Williams IP Holdings LLC
Williams Grand Prix Engineering Services LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with company registration number OC456938 and whose registered address is at Station Road, Grove, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 0DQ.
Powered By