Can Williams continue their progress in 2023?
The 2023 F1 campaign marked the start of a new chapter for the illustrious Williams name, with James Vowles taking over as Team Principal. They have been aiming to make progress after last year’s bottom-placed finish – and so far, the signs are encouraging. Following is their semi-annual report…
The best finish
Alex Albon – 7th in Canada
Williams knows it has a car that will struggle at most tracks but will challenge for points at others, particularly the layouts that include long straights where its slippery engine will shine.
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When that happens, you need a driver that delivers when it counts – and in Alex Albon, Williams has just that. Canada was a prime example, the Thai driver using a very updated car – and the long straights of Montreal – to start ninth and finish seventh to take six valuable points.
That score alone accounts for more than half of their tally for the entire first half of the season and played a huge part in their seventh place in the constructors’ championship at the break.
Alex Albon has excelled this season for Williams, particularly with his seventh-place finish in Montreal
Qualifying battles
Albon 12-0 Sargeant
Albon comfortably saw off previous team-mate Nicholas Latifi – and that pattern has continued with rookie Logan Sargeant so far this year, the Thai driver unbeaten in the battle after 12 rounds.
Albon managed four Q3 appearances this year, including three on the bounce – Canada, Austria and Great Britain – and that strong single-round speed opened the door for points on Sunday.
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Melee
Albon 10-1 Sargeant
In the race cut, Albon had an impressive advantage over Sargeant, who continues to adapt to life in F1 and faces the added challenge of having to learn a whole host of new circuits.
When both crossed the line, Albon was always in front in 2023, the 27-year-old scoring three times – the season opener in Bahrain and the team’s home race at Silverstone, in addition to this stunning result at the Canadian GP.
Logan Sargeant continues to adapt to life in F1
The best moment
Albon’s seventh-place finish in Canada was Williams’ best result in two years and secured a number of points that could be worth one or perhaps two places in the constructors’ championship (and the prize money that comes with it) at the end of the season.
He has made defensive driving one of his key skills in recent years – and it was on display for all to see at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. He didn’t make a single mistake on a very demanding track. Chapeau.
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The worst moment
Albon was in good shape to score Williams’ best performance of the season – or at least a comfortable top-10 – when he ran sixth in the opening stages of Australia’s Gand Prix. But he slid a little wide at Turn 6, lost control and spun into the barriers.
Morale is high at Williams at the moment with some standout performances
Going forward
Morale is high in the team at the moment, the women and men in blue boosted by some standout performances that put the team in the mix for their best constructors’ championship finish in years.
Their aim is simple – continue to make the most of their opportunities, particularly at tracks where their slippery Williams can excel in the straights.
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Monza is the best shot for a big success in the second half of the season. Albon was forced to miss the match last year after being diagnosed with appendicitis – as he knew there was a chance of a huge score.
If he and the team get everything right that weekend, a top-five finish wouldn’t be out of the question.
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