Alexander Albon does not yet expect Williams to make the big leap forward in 2026, unless engine supplier Mercedes pulls off the big one like in 2014
On the sidelines of the Formula 1 weekend in Canada, the focus is already firmly on the 2026 season. On Thursday, the FIA published the first images with key points of what the new cars will look like. In addition to the aerodynamics, the engines will also be updated, with a stronger focus on the battery
Alexander Albon, who recently extended his contract with Williams on a long-term basis, hopes that Williams’ engine partner Mercedes can gain an advantage over the competition, as it did with the major rule change in 2014, which will also flush the customer team to the front of the grid more quickly.
“The gap between the teams will widen significantly,” says the Thai, when asked about a potential pecking order in two years’ time. “As with all the other regulations, everyone is getting closer now. Unfortunately, the racing is not great, but the pace between the cars is extremely close – possibly closer than it has been for a long time. That will definitely drive everyone apart again.”
“I think the engines will play a big part in that. Maybe in 2026 we will fall behind again from a top team like Mercedes and have a bigger delta. I hope that Mercedes has a strong engine and good battery efficiency. That could help us in the constructor comparison and make us relatively competitive with teams with other engines,” says Albon.
2014: When Williams finished ahead of Ferrari in the World Championship
This is exactly how it was in 2014, when Mercedes gained a clear lead over the competition with the introduction of hybrid engines, which also helped the customer teams Williams and Force India. In the first year of the new engine regulations, Williams finished third in the team championship with nine podiums and a pole position for Felipe Massa in Austria. However, as Mercedes’ horsepower advantage dwindled, the traditional team fell further and further behind in subsequent years.
“I think we are still in a rebuilding phase and I don’t think we will be quite there in 2026,” says Albon when asked how well prepared Williams is for 2026. “Every team is putting their words and efforts into ensuring that 2026 will be a fresh start for everyone, but I think it will take a bit longer.”
“But I hope that we can let the power unit carry us a little bit, and I remember a little bit 2014 where the gap to the front could be bigger, but it puts us in a good position and we can still build and develop and change parts of the team. And then we can make bigger steps until 2027. “
Albon: “Would sacrifice 2025 for 2026”
Williams team principal James Vowles is known for his long-term project planning, which is why Albon also assumes that Williams will start work on the new regulations very early: “I would rather sacrifice 2025 for 2026,” he says.
“And that’s partly because of the longer-term contracts, you’re not so focused on the short term. You don’t want short-term success if it causes you pain later on, and as a team we have to think more about the future if we want to be at the top. If we want to be among the frontrunners, we still have a lot to do, and these are big changes that take time.”
For the time being, however, the focus is still on the current regulations with this year’s FW46, which according to team boss Vowles is still 15 kilograms too heavy. Depending on the track, the excess weight can cost three and a half to five and a half tenths per lap, which could push Williams up the pecking order over the course of the season if lighter parts are fitted to the car
Albon: “Losing weight is not cheap “
For Canada, the team has brought a new front and rear wing to the track, which should make the car more efficient, which is an advantage on the long straights in Montreal. Last year, however, there was a very big update for the ninth race of the season, but for 2024, according to Albon, they are taking a “different development route.”
“This year it’s a few smaller things at each race, last year it was a big step – and that was here this weekend,” says Albon, who also emphasizes that updates this season are also learning for next year, as with the stable regulations “you can take everything you’ve learned this year into next year”.
“But the most important thing for us as a team is to achieve our weight targets, that would be our biggest step forward. If we get the basics right in this regard, we will make a big step as a team next year.”
“We are still a long way from where we want to be. We have upgrades that should also improve performance. But I would say the focus at the moment is more on weight than aerodynamics, and in a way we are comparing the two and seeing what makes financial sense. Losing weight isn’t cheap either,” says the 28-year-old.
