Alex Albon shares “realistic” timeline of when Williams could start fighting for race wins again

Williams Racing driver Alex Albon shared a "realistic" timeline of the team getting back to winning ways in 2027. The 28-year-old has been driving for the team since the 2022 F1 season.

It's been over a decade since Williams last won a race. It was Pastor Maldonado who drove the team to their 114th and still their latest win back in 2012 (Spanish Grand Prix). That win, too, came after an eight-year halt for the Wantage-based outfit.

Williams Racing is one of the most successful teams in the history of Formula 1. However, they have been battling at the bottom of the table for the past few seasons. With a lack of investment, they are also behind in development and equipment. Amidst this, Alex Albon brings a ray of hope.

Speaking to Autosport, he mentioned that the team might not hit their stride until the 2026 F1 season, a year after the introduction of new regulations. However, he expressed optimism about the team's chances of returning to victory in 2027.

"If I am being totally honest, I don't see us being in position to fight for wins and titles for a while, but to do steps where we start nipping in and getting podiums and whatnot," Albon said.

"I believe that 2026 would be difficult, but winning in '27 would be much more realistic. We've got great investment, and we're recruiting very aggressively," he added.

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"James has brought me into it": Alex Albon feels Vowles is the "right man" for Williams

Following the departure of Jost Capito, Williams appointed James Vowles, formerly of Mercedes, as their new team principal. He has been working in the role since the 2023 F1 season, and improvements in the team's performance have become apparent.

Alex Albon feels that Vowles is the perfect fit for the team in terms of development and getting the right people on board. The Thai driver further stated that he is "part of the project" led by Vowles.

"I have been very much a part of the project. James has brought me into it. He's very straight. He doesn't tell you things are better than they actually are, and I like that. I feel like whenever something's not come to plan he tells me the areas that the team needs to work on. He tells me if there's anything I can do to help," Albon stated.

"He is the right man for the job and I believe in him and feel like we've got the right people," he added.

Albon has scored all the points for Williams so far in the season (4) and they stand in ninth place in the Constructors' Championship standings. Alpine holds an 11-point advantage over Williams, while Sauber currently occupies the bottom of the standings, having not scored a point so far in the season.