Williams priorities revealed for Albon after 'selfish' period

Alexander Albon has detailed his shifting priorities now he has committed his long-term future to Williams.

In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, the 28-year-old conceded that he wants to "see the fruits of the journey" with the Grove-based squad as the James Vowles-led operation plots its ascent back to the front in F1.

Albon joined the team in 2022, and after an impressive first season back in a race seat, penned a multi-year extension.

However, his latest deal will see him stay with Williams through to the dawn of a new era in F1, with sweeping regulatory changes to power units and chassis being introduced in 2026.

Albon revealed how signing the contract extension that will see him stay with Williams until at least the end of the 2027 F1 season has allowed him to focus more on the "project" at the team, and less on "selfish", vested interests.

"Once I knew I'd signed a long-term contract, and I'd committed my future to Williams, the feeling of performing in the moment went away, because it was almost like, 'I'm in this project now and I've got time'," said the two-time podium finisher.

"When you're on a short-term contract, you tend to push yourself. You naturally become more selfish. 

"It's more about yourself, it's more about you performing. You want the eyes on you, in terms of other teams and fighting it that way.

"As soon as you sign that long-term contract, your attention straightaway goes towards the project of the team."

Albon 'motivated' to make long-term Williams partnership work

After languishing towards the back of the field since its last top-five constructors' finish in 2017, Williams looked to have made progress in 2023.

Buoyed by Albon's 27 points, the team finished seventh in the standings. However, a winter change in car philosophy left the Grove squad on the back foot.

This term, with a mere four points from the opening 14 rounds of the year, focus is squarely set on the future.

"Now, most of my FP1s are test items that we need to test for next year's car....than paying attention to the weekend at hand," he added.

The change in concept has allowed Williams to strip considerable weight from its current chassis, something that has plagued its cars in recent seasons and a move it hopes will pay dividends ahead of the new rules.

For Albon, he wants to see the years of hard graft and sacrifice pay off, with the requisite rewards at the end of the process justifying his changing priorities.

"We're not quite there for 2026, but it's that shift, that change, so there's that feeling of the responsibilities changing slightly," he said.

"And also, now that I've signed this long-term contract, I'm motivated to make it work. I want to see the fruits of the journey."