Albon had the chance to help Max Verstappen win the drivers’ title and believes that has given him a “big picture” of what it takes to succeed in Formula 1, putting him in a stronger position. on his return to the grid with Williams.
In 2021, the Thai competed in the DTM after being dropped by Red Bull and, in turn, was working as a reserve driver for the Austrian team in the Milton Keynes simulator.
This Tuesday, Albon was able to test the new Williams FW44 for the first time on his first outing at the Silverstone circuit and spoke about his feelings in general.
“I think having spent that year abroad gives me a bit more of a global vision of what it takes to be a top driver, in the sense that I’ve been able to see everything that goes into it.”
“Sometimes when you’re in the thick of a race weekend, when you’re going full throttle, when you’re in the fight, you just see the track.
“Last year I had a completely different role, it was about evolving the car, seeing how the team works and fulfilling my duties as developer in the best possible way.”
“I feel like there’s a lot of experience there, learning how an F1 team works.
“Clearly I can use that to help Williams . At the same time, there are things that I’ve been reflecting on and thinking about how I can do a better job. And the answer is not simple. It’s a lot of little things that I’m obviously going to be working all year. I still need to get in the car more so I can take care of them.”
Albon worked on the RB18 project for 2022 even after being signed by Williams . However, while testing the new car in the simulator, he said he had no idea what it would look and feel like in reality.
“I know, more or less, how the car feels,” he told Motorsport.com in an interview. “But it’s hard to compare them because the simulators themselves are different, the way they work and how they feel in terms of movement is also very different.”
“Obviously you can notice a lot of things, but to be able to apply them takes some time and some experience.”
“Of course I’m going to use everything I know. At the same time, I’m not an aerodynamicist, I don’t know what the RB18’s rear wing looks like or things like that, just the sensations it conveys.”
“The simulator is pretty simple. You have two wheels at the front and you’re inside a monocoque. Yes, it’s tough in that sense.”
“But I think what I will bring to Williams is the way it works and how the team works, more than other aspects.”
“And of course the cars also have elements that continue from year to year, even when the rules change as much as they have this season.
“Teams always tend to keep their subtleties on the cars, it’s normal. I think I have an idea why the Red Bull car was fast, and I know how they got the lap time.
“At the same time, I also know why the Williams was quick in some places and I can see how these things work out. It’s about trying to use that knowledge that I have to try to make us more competitive.”
