Following FP2 at the Australian Grand Prix, Alex Albon has admitted that Williams is certainly on the back foot after a challenging Friday in which it battled with data collection and deployment issues across the day’s running.
Teams are facing a steep learning curve as they adapt to Formula 1’s new era of regulations, and Albon has made it no secret that the Grove outfit is playing catch-up after a couple of untidy sessions.
“Yeah, a little bit caught out with it today, just a bit behind I think,” Albon said. “We’ve been struggling with data, struggling with a lot of things. So yeah, we just need to see what we can actually learn first of all, and then apply that to tomorrow.”
The Thai-British driver made it clear that one of the biggest areas of concern is deployment, which has already become a major sticking point for several teams up and down the pitlane.
“The car has got a bit of work to do,” he continued. “I think most of it is in deployment and just understanding the deployment of it. I think that’s the biggest carrot at the minute for that time.
“But set-up-wise and feeling-wise, we also need to do a step as well. So, behind, but there’s clearly a lot we can improve.”
Due to limited running and mileage – not to mention the team not attending the first round of testing in Barcelona – the squad is facing a lack of understanding of these new cars, making it difficult to unlock the cars’ full potential. And after limited long runs, Albon feels vulnerable.
Alexander Albon, Williams
Photo by: Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images
“I did a very short long run, which was also the only long run we’ve done so far today, between both cars, and it wasn’t that enjoyable.”
This will only be compounded by a field that could struggle to find clean air and manage energy deployment during qualifying tomorrow. The driver warns that the challenges he’s facing today may become more severe as the weekend continues.
“It’s going to be very difficult,” he said. “So, we’re not seeing the worst of it at the minute. It’s already very difficult.
“I think even just on our side, some laps you’re gaining and losing a lot of time. It doesn’t always make sense behind the wheel, but that’s just part of learning carefully.”
The Williams driver finished 15th on the timesheet in FP2, with team-mate Carlos Sainz finishing four-tenths off him in 17th.
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