During a print media session before the 2026 F1 Japanese GP, Alex Albon discussed some of the technical issues Williams is facing this season.
After missing the Barcelona shakedown, the British team has reported being overweight and having aerodynamic limitations in the new regulations.
Albon has had a harder time in 2026 than his teammate Carlos Sainz. While the Spaniard managed to collect two points so far, the Thai driver has none. Albon finished P12 in Australia, P20 in Japan, and did not start the race in China after facing a hydraulics issue.
As it stands, Williams sits in P9 in the constructors’ championship. While Albon is P18 with no points in the drivers’ championship.
Albon discusses lack of inside grip for Williams in F1 2026
Before the Japanese GP, Alex Albon was asked about the “three-wheeling issue” on the FW48. This means that one of the tyres isn’t making full contact with the track. Therefore, it limits the overall grip and performance.
On whether this had been the main problem so far in 2026, Albon said: “Partly, partly”.
“No, I think the three-wheeling, or lack of inside front grip, has been an issue on our car since I’ve been with them.”
The Thai had mentioned it on different past occasions and has even compared it to being a dog walking on three legs.
“So that’s nothing new. It’s just that I think some of the issues that we’ve had were exacerbated.”
“The issue seems to be highlighted” for the team this season
When asked further about how it affects the car, Albon explained:
“Think of it like five years ago, I think one of our weakest corners was turn 9 and turn 10 in Bahrain, that troubled left-hander. I think that was always a problem.
“And if you look at last year, the years before, it was always signs of there’s only a few corners on the track that we were this slow. And these are the corners that are costing us performance.
“If you think about this year so far, generally, as everyone’s running with less downforce, the issue seems to be highlighted. So it’s just an area that we’re focused on.”
Albon noted it effects both front and rear tyres, and he added:
“It’s not really in the air, if you look at it. It’s just not got quite the contact patch of the other three tyres on the ground.
“But we’ve actually had a lot of good. It’s been a big focus point so far this year. And we’ve been attributing a lot of FP1 sessions to see if we can fix it.”
