The Thai driver has returned to Grand Prix racing with Williams after a year on the sidelines as Red Bull reserve, having lost his seat to Sergio Perez for the 2021 campaign.
Although Williams has had its ups and downs in 2022 and was voted in for yet another mid-season car overhaul, Albon says one of the big bright spots from the year is how he feels about himself- same.
“I would say the most positive thing I felt was that, even though I was away for a year, I feel like I have confidence in myself,” he explained before a French GP, where Williams hopes to better understand his new package.
“I feel good in the car. I think that’s the first thing I always said was tricky: that you drive certain cars and sometimes a car can feel like it’s driving you. It’s like you’re trying to fight on rather than letting the car do its job.
“Early on with the Williams, even though it has its own riding style, I always felt like I could get the upper hand. I think I felt confident enough to drive it the way I wanted, and that helps me. right away.
“I felt like coming into Q2, the first race weekend we did it, in a car that wasn’t quite there at the time, it was a great way to start and it made me feel, I guess, settled in, a little bit earlier in the swing of things.
Alex Albon, Red Bull Racing RB16
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Red Bull’s “Nervous Car” Myth
Albon says he last felt on top of a car at Toro Rosso in his debut 2019 campaign, before moving to Red Bull.
“I would say Toro Rosso that I was comfortable with, and then already the move from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, I think, was already a step,” he explained.
“And then from 2019 to 2020 there was another step towards the car that was like ‘wow, okay, different from what I’m used to. This year, yes, I feel confident.
While many have suggested Albon’s struggles at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen were down to him not feeling as comfortable facing such a nervous full-back as his team-mate, he insists that is not the case.
In fact, he says that throughout his junior career he always liked cars that move more – and it’s a feature he believes is useful for the current generation of F1 cars.
“I think people would probably say I liked a more stable car, but compared to all the others I used to race against, I was having a lot of fun. [with the car moving around]and all like that. “, He said.
“This year has gone more back there. I like the car quite nervous, quite lively and I’m not afraid to move it. I think this year’s car, they tend to reward somebody if you can make it look sharp.
“If the car allows you and the tires allow you, you can really get a bit more performance that way.”
