James Vowles explains the ‘impressive’ change in Alex Albon he’s spotted behind the scenes since Carlos Sainz’s arrival

One of the most fascinating intra-team battles on the 2025 Formula 1 grid is taking place at Wiliams this season.

After finishing ninth in the constructors’ championship last season, Williams have high hopes for this campaign and their long-term future under the leadership of team principal James Vowles.

Vowles has stuck by Alex Albon after leading the team through a difficult period for Williams in recent years and paired him with the strongest free agent on the market last year.

Carlos Sainz had offers from several teams in the paddock after discovering that he was going to be dropped by Ferrari for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Vowles worked hard to sign Sainz and now has one of the strongest pairings on the grid at his disposal.

That’s already being reflected in their points tally after the first five races of 2025.

While Sainz had some struggles at the start of the year, Albon has flourished and already surpassed the team’s points tally from last season.

Vowles has now explained the change he’s seen in Albon since the Spaniard’s arrival this year, and why it’s so encouraging for the team’s long-term ambitions.

READ MORE: Williams driver Alex Albon’s life outside F1 with net worth, girlfriend to parents

Alex Albon making ‘impressive’ changes at Williams after Carlos Sainz’s arrival

In an interview with the Formula 1 official website, Vowles was asked about the Thai driver.

Having worked with him for several seasons after being released by Red Bull, Vowles explained, “When I first joined, within that first year he stepped up significantly and I’ve seen the same step this year,” said Vowles.

“He knew he had Carlos, who’s a benchmark in the sport, coming in, and what we’re seeing from Alex now is he still has his funny side, but it’s a lot more focused and dedicated, I would say, at a weekend.

“He’s delivering, there’s no foot he’s putting wrong and that’s really quite impressive for the races we had so far and I’m sure the races going forward.”

Albon currently sits just 11 points behind Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ championship, and they both have recorded a best finish of fifth over a full race distance.

The midfield is more competitive than ever, but right now, the 29-year-old is leading the way, although Sainz is beginning to catch up.

READ MORE: Williams star Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

Carlos Sainz explains ‘big challenge’ at the start of his Williams career

Sainz has now raced for half of the teams currently on the grid, but Vowles will be hoping that he doesn’t want to add to that tally for some time.

Williams are concentrating on 2026 and the upcoming regulation changes, which makes their promising start to this campaign even more encouraging.

Speaking about his start to life with the Grove-based team, Sainz explained, “It was definitely a challenging start to the season, but it was always going to be with the adaptation process.

“I always warned that it was never going to be easy and I took it step by step, and to be in race five at the level that I am… If you look at everyone that’s changed teams, it’s not easy.

“It’s a big challenge – I’m taking it step by step and it’s working.

“Probably I’m still going to face some setbacks and some tough races along the way, but at least if I keep the philosophy I’m taking I think we are in the right direction.”

Juan Pablo Montoya has encouraged Sainz to reject Red Bull if they come knocking again due to the troubles every second driver appears to have alongside Max Verstappen.

Given the direction Williams are going in, it would make perfect sense for Sainz to fully commit to the future of this team.