Albon pays tribute to Williams for fast-tracking upgrades

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Alex Albon says his Williams team pulled out the stops to bring forward to Canada the upgrade package for its FW45 that benefitted the Anglo-Thai racer in Montreal.

Williams rolled out a heavily revised car in Montreal, that featured among other changes new body work and a new floor.

However, Albon was the sole recipient in Canada of the new-spec FW45, with teammate Logan Sargeant expected to receive an upgraded car in Austria.

Albon underscored the massive effort undertaken by Williams to prepare its package in time for last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, knowing that Montreal's layout would suit the car's changes.

"This weekend, we’ve had a great car. I can’t thank the team enough," he told Sky F1 after last Sunday's race.

"I’ve been at the factory the last two weeks quite a lot, in terms of simulator work, but also with James [Vowles, Williams Team Principal] and I can’t tell you how much of a part deficit we were at after Barcelona.

"We were on the edge. We decided to fast-track the upgrade into Canada, and the people at the factory, composites, everyone, actually we went, James and I went to meet them and discuss with them, we’ve got to try and get this upgrade ready for Canada.

Read also: F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2023 Canadian GP

"It’s going to be our only chance possibly until one of these Monza races come along. The guys worked absolutely flat out to get it ready.

"It’s great to be able to put it on the car. We put a new PU in it this weekend, we put everything into this weekend.

"Actually, [there was] a bit of pressure in some respects coming into this weekend to deliver, and we did."

From ninth on the grid, Albon slowly but surely worked his way up to P7, relying on a one-stop strategy and a lengthy second stint on the hard tyre.

However, the Williams charger was under massive pressure in the closing stages of the races, with a train of cars led by Alpine's Esteban Ocon snapping at his heels. A plight that reminded him of his F3 and F2 days.

"I’ve always, even in Formula 3, Formula 2 days, I’ve enjoyed leading the pack and controlling it," he said.

"Obviously I’m not technically leading the race, but I’m leading at that point, you could call it the midfield race.

"It’s almost like just doing enough to keep them behind and making sure that you’ve got enough in the tank for the rest of the race.

"That’s something which is quite tricky to gauge. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without a good car."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.