Williams driver Alex Albon has confirmed the hierarchy within the team after former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz joined the squad for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Up until this point, the Thai-British driver has been paired with rookies such as Logan Sargeant and Franco Colapinto. However, with the signing of Sainz to the team, Albon is now sat alongside a driver who rivals him in experience.
While speaking to the media including Motorsport.com ahead of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, the Thai-British explained that the dynamic in the team has changed since the Spaniard joined.
“We’re treated very equally in every area, so we’re just going about it maybe a bit different, for the team more than anyone else,” said Albon. “The dynamic between it is different.”
“I mean, there’s no hiding the fact that in previous years I possibly got the preferential treatment, this time last year, for example, but yes, it does feel like not only are we equally considered, but the fact is, in terms of parts and where the team is at, we’re in a much healthier position that we can have an equal hierarchy structure.”
The new partnership between Albon and Sainz has been a big discussion point ahead of the 2025 season. Team principal James Vowles explained the new dynamic to Motorsport.com earlier in the year, stating:
Alex Albon, Williams
Photo by: Pirelli
“One of the elements that are great with Carlos and Alex is that neither one has any politics, they don’t have a political bone, they just want the car to be quick and they want to perform the best that we can within that environment.
“They both know the challenges of ’25, but the real crux of it is looking forward to what we have in 2026 together. So what I’m expecting is insights into where we’re strong during the week to what I already believe and what Alex already believes.
“What I’m expecting is leadership that with just a few words is able to lead the team in the right direction as we’re moving forward as an organisation. What I’m expecting is an individual that will give me everything when any given race begins, because we’re here to make this team successful.”
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