Alex Albon points to Mercedes example over Williams F1 'concern'

Alex Albon has admitted there is mild concern that Williams' strong trajectory could be disrupted by the regulation change coming into play next year.

The Grove-based squad has enjoyed an upturn in form this year, bagging 70 points in the opening 14 rounds.

Albon has secured 54 of those points as he partakes in his most successful season with Williams to date, racing alongside Carlos Sainz, who joined this year from Ferrari. 

Williams is on course for its first top-five finish in the constructors' championship since the 2017 campaign as it implements a long-term plan to return to the head of the F1 pecking order.

However, with major changes coming to the chassis and power units next year, Albon recognised it could be a hurdle for Williams.

“It is, it is [a concern],” Albon exclusively told RacingNews365 when asked about the dangers of next year's rule change.

“A good example would be Mercedes. On the last generation of cars, they had a car that they dominated, and then they didn’t.

“I think the best teams still find a way. They still seem to be able to get everyone together, be adaptable, go up and still fight their way back up to the top.”

Williams team principal James Vowles has outlined his squad's journey back to the top of F1 will take several years, with the team last winning a title in 1997.

But should Williams find itself in bother with next year's rule change, Albon outlined it is now in a much better position to deal with adversity compared to years gone by.

“I think as a team, if I look at where we were three years ago and you asked me, ‘what happens if you plateau? What would happen there?'” Albon said.

“I would be like ‘yeah, that's a talking point’. But now, we're not there yet, but we're in such a healthier position.

“Even if next year is not where we want to be, I still feel like we've got good foundations to bounce back.

“We still want to improve [the foundations], and we are.

“The amount of movement at Grove is huge, so as long as I still believe in the project, I'm happy to. I don't want it to wait, but I’m happy to wait.”