LAS VEGAS – It’s been a challenging start to the Las Vegas Grand Prix for Alex Albon and Williams Racing, as a fuel system issue sidelined them during FP2 on Thursday night. However, as we reach the penultimate race of the 2024 Formula 1 calendar, it’s also worth looking ahead to 2025 and the new Williams Racing outfit that will be lining the grid come late February.
With the Monaco Grand Prix moving off of its traditional May date, the possibility of F1 drivers returning to the Indy 500 is something that’s back on the table. Albon shared his thoughts about potentially running Indy in the future, as well as the spectacle that is racing on the Las Vegas Strip.
The transcript from our conversation is below, edited for clarity.
Yesterday obviously wasn’t ideal. How important does tonight’s practice become now in terms of collecting the data you need for the race, and how do you use that data to prepare for a new circuit like Las Vegas?
Albon: “Yeah, so basically we’re trying to study the other car. You always want two sets of data. It makes things a lot easier to compare against but also to correlate. We're much more reliant now when we don't have as much running on track to use the simulator. So, there’s a lot of work being sent across. Stuff like potential setups, things like that back in the UK. We've got a bit of a strategy around it, and that's mostly it.”
Carlos Sainz is set to join Williams in just a few weeks here after the season. What qualities does he bring to the team, and what are your expectations for working together next season?
Albon: “I think what he brings to the team is experience. Experience with a top team like Ferrari also. Clearly they’re one of the very top teams and they’ve also, in the last few races, really picked up as well. So, that information is important.
“I've come from Red Bull into Williams and I've felt that transition. I felt like I could bring a lot to the table, but after three years now with Williams, it's important to get that fresh mindset in. Hopefully he'll be able to really direct us into a better place.
We’re stateside so I have to ask, with Monaco moving from its traditional May slot, would you have any interest in running the Indy 500 at some point in the future?
Albon: “Definitely, yes. I need to figure out a time to do it, but just generally, IndyCar for me has always been something I wanted to do. I was very close to doing it when I had a year away from Formula 1 in 2021. IndyCar was where I wanted to be (that year). I got the call-up back into Formula 1, but I'll always leave my options open for Indy.”
Lastly, what do you think about racing here in Las Vegas?
Albon: “It's unique, I would say in terms of a track, maybe not the most exciting to drive. Very slippery. It has its own unique characteristics, being so low downforce. But I enjoy it. I feel like it's a spectacle. We've just realized that America does that the best. I think the first year it was almost like ‘this just feels different’, and now we're embracing it as much as possible.”