The Anglo-Thai driver and his teammate Logan Sargeant have faced a difficult start to the season, with Williams not yet having a spare chassis, but more importantly also dealing with a certain shortage of spare parts.
Sargeant did not participate in the Australian Grand Prix, after the team decided to hand over its car to Albon, who had damaged the chassis in an accident in free practice. The situation then worsened in Suzuka, because Albon had an accident on the first lap with Daniel Ricciardo, also damaging the other bodyshell.
However, the team has not wavered in its commitment in these situations: this weekend, in Shanghai, both cars will fit the front wing introduced in Japan, while Albon will debut the new profiles on the Halo.
Although he is aware that the spare parts problem has not yet been fully overcome, Albon said that the team cannot afford to alter its mentality as it is still looking for its first points of the season.
When Motorsport.com asked him how challenging it is to have to live with this situation, Albon replied: “If you're being completely honest, you don't think about it at all. Obviously the problem is there, but the moment you start thinking to the lack of spare parts or anything else, we might as well stay at home.”
Albon damaged a second chassis of the season in Japan
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“You have to approach the weekend like any other. You can't treat it differently. You have to be at the limit to understand what it is and find a balance for the car. It's one of those situations where you have to block your brain and continue to run as usual.”
Albon was full of praise for the way Williams has worked to fit both cars with as many new components as possible.
“It was a huge effort,” he said. “Obviously we've been hurt by the accidents, and it's no secret that we were struggling even before the accidents. So, as always, it's another big job and we have to rely on the people at Grove.”
“And it's very, very important, especially in a Sprint, with all the things that can happen this weekend, to be well prepared. Races like this, where you don't know anything, are an opportunity for teams like us” , he concluded.
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