Alex Albon has offered a comparison of his introduction to Williams to the time he spent at Red Bull in 2019 and 2020, and has not noticed many distinctions between the two environments.
The Thai-Brit managed two podium finishes in what was an otherwise disappointing 2020 season, and he was dropped at the end of the year and replaced by Sergio Perez ahead of last season.
He spent 2021 as the team’s test and reserve driver and, despite a little reluctancy from Toto Wolff, has been allowed to step into the Mercedes powered Williams ahead of the 2022 season.
He momentarily lost his car keys on his first day at Grove, but has otherwise found himself settling in well and does not feel many differences between the workings of Red Bull and those of Williams.
“It’s not different, not very different at all,” he remarked, as per the Formula 1 website.
“All F1 teams operate in a very similar way, it’s more like going to a new workplace or a new school: new faces to learn and new names to remember.
“But it’s great, the atmosphere is great.”
George Russell and Albon’s new teammate Nicholas Latifi managed six points finishes between them last season in an impressive upturn in form from 2020, and he hopes to continue that upwards trajectory this season.
“Obviously, they’ve come back from a good year last year; that momentum is in the team and obviously with the new investment, with Jost [Capito] as well, it’s a great team to be a part of,” he added.
“Honestly, feeling very good, getting good mileage into the car.
“It seems like everyone is doing pretty well, everyone is getting good mileage in.
“The car is feeling very, very good to begin with. I feel like we’ve got a good foundation to start the year on.”
Russell has headed to Mercedes after three years at Williams as a junior driver for the Brackley squad, while Albon has joined Williams.