Williams have had a disappointing start to the 2026 F1 season, and Alex Albon spoke after the Chinese GP reflecting on the issues that the team have had.
The Thai driver was unable to start the Chinese GP after suffering from a hydraulics issue that became visible on the install laps.
Albon had an overall disappointing Saturday in Shanghai having to start the Sprint from the pit lane after the Grove-based team decided to make changes to his car.
The disappointment continued on Sunday after the 28-year-old suffered a hydraulics issue before the race, meaning he was unable to start the Chinese GP. Albon was one of four drivers who suffered a DNS for Sunday’s race. Both McLaren drivers and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto were also unable to start the race.
Alex Albon on “painful” 2026 F1 Chinese GP
Following the 2026 F1 Chinese GP, Albon discussed how the DNS has made the job harder for Williams to identify the issues with his FW48. All weekend he was unhappy with the car..
“I think we saw some issues on our car overnight and then we kind of it feels like maybe we had a bit of an answer for some of the issues we’ve had all weekend.
“So, I was excited in a way to get a pit lane start and to check if the car was ok, but then we had some hydraulic issues and we couldn’t even check if the car was ok.
“It makes our job a bit harder now because we haven’t. I was hoping I could get back out there on track and just get some laps and shake down the car for Japan. But not doing the laps, we now have to kind of just get the car back to the UK and make sure we understand it.
“I think realistically as a team, some things were in our control, some things weren’t. But the list of issues that we’ve had over the last two weekends is enormous.
“A bit surprising to us, just because of the reliability and strengths that we had in Bahrain, we seem to have not had them in these last two weekends.”
Albon also confirmed that there was a gear shift issue leading to the DNS.
“Yeah, a gear shift, but I think, we’ll look into it, I think it’s something around the gearbox.”
Albon discusses the mood at Williams after a disappointing start to the 2026 F1 season
Williams first saw problems before the 2026 F1 season started. The team had to miss the first pre-season test in Barcelona due to delays in the production of the FW48.
Albon’s teammate Carlos Sainz didn’t participate in the first qualifying session of the season after suffering from an ERS issue. Both drivers were also knocked out in Q1 at the Chinese GP. Nonetheless, the Spaniard drove a strong race to bag two points.
After the 2026 F1 Chinese GP, Alex Albon commented on the morale of the team following the underwhelming start to the season.
“I think as a team we’re all feeling a bit down in it. It’s important for us as a team to separate what’s in our control and what’s not.
“So, yes of course performance is in our control, but also these issues that we’re having during races where we’re not able to have a car that’s at least working the right way. It’s also on us as well. So, we’ve got to look at things in two areas really.
“There’s obviously the performance of the car, but there’s also the execution. And at the minute, we’re just struggling with both.
“We’ve got a chance to regroup now before Japan, as I said, we need to go through the data and understand what’s going on.
“Also for us, obviously we’re playing catch up. But I think realistically these two races that we’re missing is going to hopefully as well, get us a bit more time at the factory, just to get more prepared for the rest of the season.”
Albon on the difference in performance of the Williams versus the other cars in the midfield
After two races, Williams are 9th in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Audi and Alpine. This is disappointing for Williams after they finished 5th in the 2025 Championship, leading the midfield battle. Alpine finished last in 2025 and are currently in P7, switching to Mercedes power for 2026.
Following the 2026 F1 Chinese GP, Alex Albon was asked how frustrating it was to watch teams like Alpine do so well considering how much they’ve had to do for the season ahead. He outlined the massive gap he thinks they are behind both the Enstone-based squad and Haas.
“I mean Carlos scored two points today, so we can take some positives in there realistically.
“We’ve had a lot of DNFs and issues going our way, but we need them. I think that puts us on the map to start off with. It is a long journey.
“I think when you look at the times, we’re most probably at least a second [a lap] off some of them, the Haas and the Alpine over the race. That’s big chunk to find.”
