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Photo: RacePictures.

How Vowles revived Albon in the wake of Red Bull setback

14:25, 26 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Williams team principal James Vowles has shed light on Alex Albon’s mindset when he joined the team, saying the Thai-British driver arrived short on self-belief after a tough spell in Red Bull’s system.

Photo: RacePictures.

- James Vowles

Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, Vowles explained that one of his key tasks as team boss is to maintain driver confidence, even through inevitable low points. With Albon, that meant helping him rediscover the ability he had always shown.

“If we start with Alex - I've known Alex since 2016. He was with me at Mercedes, then went on to Red Bull, but I've known him since he was much younger.

"Him and Lando and George all grew up together, which is quite a nice little story. You can see them in the paddock all huddling together as well,” Vowles said.

According to Vowles, Albon’s speed was never in question, but his confidence had been hit by his time at Red Bull, where he was measured against Max Verstappen.

“What I knew of him at the time; fiercely quick, lacked some confidence in himself, didn't understand how good he really was, I think, at times. And when I met him in 2023, he lacked belief in where he was.

"I think he had a hard time pretty much going through the Red Bull system he had, and one year in Williams hadn't necessarily helped him.”

Vowles said his job was to build a support system around Albon, reminding him of his ability and creating the conditions for growth. “My job in all of that is to create a shield around him, let him know he is bloody good.

"He is one of the top drivers in the sport. I'll be by his side and give him a pedestal that allows him to grow as a result of it.”

That process, Vowles believes, has allowed Albon to unlock his potential, now showing strong performances alongside former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.

“He has the inherent skill, but what I've done as a result of things, I hope, is to really grow him as an individual where he has the confidence to give his all every single weekend, which is what you're seeing this year.”

Vowles stressed that while his role is to provide guidance and stability, the hard work still comes from the drivers themselves. “Mine is just really light guiding buffers on the outside to make sure that they're good.

"Same when they have a down weekend. They will have a down weekend. My job is to make sure they don't spiral out of control. They're here. They understand how to put it in a box. It's done. It's gone. Here's how we move forward together at the same time.”

Williams eyes top place in F1

The team's ambitions are currently fixed on 2026, with the podium in Baku being the result of a perfect execution, observed Zarlos Sainz after his P3 finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Vowles also seemed to warn rivals, suggesting that following their shock Baku podium more great things should be expected from his Grove-based outfit.

However, the former Mercedes man did try to dim expectations for the upcoming race, the Singapore Grand Prix, indicating the outing at the Marina Bay Street Circuit would be more of a reality check than a confirmation of their recent podium.

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