'No issue' following Albon's low-profile season - manager

      "If he didn’t have pace, we’d have an issue."

      Williams team principal James Vowles stated that the team's unexpected ascent to fifth in the 2025 constructors’ championship occurred despite the FW47 being developed for only "a few weeks" last winter, as the focus shifted primarily to the brand-new 2026 regulations. "If you had asked me a year ago what the best possible outcome for 2025 was, I wouldn’t have expected fifth place or three podium finishes," he mentioned to AS in Abu Dhabi. "We have to keep in mind that our attention is on 2026, and this year's car was only in development for a short time during winter."

      Vowles acknowledged the volatility within the midfield—illustrated by Aston Martin's drop to ninth—but emphasized the team’s strong performance and the addition of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari. The Spanish driver, who secured podiums in Baku, Qatar, and the Austin sprint, surprised his boss with his ability to handle stress. "Carlos took longer than I anticipated to adjust at the beginning of the year; it’s quite a different car compared to the Ferrari," Vowles remarked. "However, the results are clear."

      He noted moments when Sainz rose to the occasion: "When something goes slightly awry in qualifying, and he’s in the garage, he steps out without pressure. When the engineers raise their voices, instead of becoming agitated, he stays calm because he has everything under control. When you put him under pressure for a hot lap or during the final laps at Qatar amid issues with the Williams, he managed it flawlessly."

      While Sainz’s season has been remarkable, Alex Albon's has been more subdued, consisting of quiet point finishes and instances where he found it difficult to move past Q1. However, Vowles insists there are "no issues" regarding the Thai driver’s speed. "Alex showed pace in Las Vegas and Qatar. If he didn’t have pace, we’d have a problem," he stated. "There has been a lack of consistency, and little details have become crucial. He lost a tenth at Turn 1, and there were issues with getting the tires up to temperature—these factors can mean the difference between finishing 16th and making it into Q3."

      Vowles explained that Albon’s recent struggles were related to the setup. "We were slightly off with Alex’s setup, and his car was pushing the limits more, while Carlos’s was easier to handle. This is a specific response to the last few races."