Alex Albon knows better than most the pressure of having a tough teammate in Formula 1. His time alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull nearly ended his F1 career before it began, as he struggled to match the Dutchman’s performance and was ultimately sidelined. After a challenging period, Williams gave him a lifeline in 2022, where he quickly became the team’s undisputed leader and primary points scorer.
However, Albon’s dominance within Williams has been challenged sooner than expected. While the team has brought in Carlos Sainz for 2025, it’s the unexpected rise of Franco Colapinto, filling in as a stand-in driver, that has Albon on edge. Colapinto has already shown in just three weekends that he’s capable of putting pressure on Albon, something neither Nicholas Latifi nor Logan Sargeant managed during their respective stints as his teammates.
Colapinto’s Sensational Start Upsets the Status Quo
Colapinto’s impact was immediate. In Monza, he matched Albon’s pace but faltered under the pressure in qualifying. However, he bounced back in Baku, where he advanced to Q3 and outqualified Albon, who was denied a final run due to an airbox fan mishap. The rookie’s resilience was on display as he recovered from an FP1 crash, a scenario that might have mentally derailed his predecessors.
While Albon remained the stronger driver in the race, finishing ahead of Colapinto, the young Argentine scored more points in that single event than Latifi and Sargeant combined alongside Albon. Singapore proved that Baku was no fluke; Colapinto narrowly missed outqualifying Albon by just 0.007 seconds, despite not having the latest suspension upgrade or DRS on one of his final laps.
Colapinto’s audacious move on the opening lap in Singapore, diving down the inside of multiple cars at Turn 1, was one of the boldest moments of his brief F1 career. It was a move reminiscent of some of Verstappen’s finest from 2015, drawing mixed reactions. “Franco just divebombed, what is he doing?” Albon fumed on the radio, while Sainz voiced concern over nearly being taken out. Upon reviewing the footage, Albon admitted there was “nothing to criticise,” acknowledging that Colapinto simply outmaneuvered more experienced drivers.
Pressure Mounts on Albon as Williams Sees Potential
The pressure on Albon is now palpable. His radio outburst in Singapore hinted at the frustration of being outshined by his teammate, something he hasn’t experienced since joining Williams. The nature of the race, with limited overtaking opportunities, meant that once Colapinto gained an advantage, only a radical strategy could have put Albon back ahead.
Had Albon continued without mechanical issues, the Singapore GP might have marked his first genuine defeat by a teammate in a head-to-head battle since joining Williams. As the team enters the autumn break, Albon will be reflecting on how to respond to this unexpected challenge.
Colapinto’s form raises questions about whether he can maintain this level across more traditional circuits like those in the upcoming Austin-Mexico-Brazil triple-header. But early signs suggest Colapinto could pose a serious threat to Albon for the remainder of 2024, ahead of Sainz’s arrival.
A Big Challenge for Albon, but a Big Win for Williams
For Albon, the renewed intra-team competition is a challenge, but for Williams, it’s a win. The team’s decision to shake up its driver lineup mid-season has already paid off, with Colapinto scoring valuable points and providing the kind of push that Albon’s previous teammates couldn’t deliver. Williams now sits eighth in the Constructors’ Championship, with a realistic shot at breaking into the top six for the first time since 2017.
Albon’s performance over the next 12 months will be critical, not just for his standing within Williams but for his broader career prospects. A strong showing against Colapinto—and later Sainz—could position him as a contender for a top-tier team should vacancies arise. Albon has already transformed from the out-of-depth rookie he was at Red Bull into a determined and resilient team leader. Now, he must prove that he can fend off internal competition and maintain his grip on the Williams spearhead role.
With a long-term contract in hand, Albon is well-placed to lead a resurgent Williams or even eye a return to the front of the grid. The coming months will be a crucial test of whether the 28-year-old can rise to the challenge and solidify his place as one of F1’s top talents. For Albon, this unexpected crunch time may be exactly what he needs to prove himself once and for all.
