After his get-together with Alex Albon at the United States GP, Fernando Alonso had a few clear words about the Williams driver’s driving standards. And coming into Mexico City, the two-time champion hadn’t backed down.
During the first lap of the race the two tangled in turn 11 when Alonso got squeezed by both Albon and Esteban Ocon. It resulted in a damaged floor and a lengthy final pitstop for the Aston-Martin driver, ruining a promising qualifying result.
Albon disagrees respectfully with Alonso’s initial driving standards comments in 2026 F1 Mexico City GP press conference
Asked about Fernando’s post-race comments during the FIA press conference, Albon was lighthearted in his answer. He noted that the performance of the Williams is not on par with the targets the team set, and also felt the incident had not much to do with the level of the drivers per se.
“Firstly, I would say that I hugely respect Fernando,” Albon began his answer. “I think he’s a great driver, and I’ve looked up to him a lot growing up as a kid. I think we’re all in our own little fight at the back. I don’t think it’s so much about the level of the drivers.
“Obviously, last year we had a great season, and this year we’re at the back, I think, the group of us, including Checo.
“But if anything, I would say the grid’s the strongest it’s been for a while. Obviously, post-race comments are always a little bit more in the heat of the moment, so you can take them with a pinch of salt”
The Thai driver was a bit surprised by Alonso’s remarks, given he thought nothing was wrong with the battle.
“No, I thought it was a good battle,” he said. “I thought we had a good scrap, so clearly he didn’t think the same thing. It was a race-long battle. Even the incident itself, I thought, was quite 50-50 in terms of where the cars were on track.”
Albon, again respectfully, doubles down as well
This weekend’s remarks by Alonso were received with a bit more disappointment by Albon. He feels the Aston Martin driver is exaggerating how bad the driving standards are.
“I mean, I’ll double down on what I said as well,” Albon responded. “I have huge respect for Fernando. I looked up to him a lot growing up as a kid.
“Obviously, it’s not nice to hear those comments in many ways. You’re racing someone that you looked up to, but at the same time, I don’t agree. It’s as simple as that.
“I think the level is strong up and down the grid. Ten or fifteen years ago, the back half of the grid wasn’t the way it is now. You don’t have pay drivers anymore.
“So, yeah, it is what it is. Hopefully, we don’t cross paths in the race this weekend.”
