Alex Albon writes his name into Williams history
It is a staggering milestone that reminds us of the sheer weight of history this team carries. This weekend at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Alex Albon will step into his FW48 and, in doing so, become the all-time leading Grand Prix starter for Williams. It is a incredible trajectory for a driver who only arrived in 2022 to rebuild his career, and now finds himself as the central pillar of the team under James Vowles.
Looking at the list of legends Albon now surpasses, the depth of talent is breathtaking. From the hard-charging Nigel Mansell, who sits at 95 starts, to the grit of Ralf Schumacher with 94, or even the sheer consistency of Riccardo Patrese at 81, these names are the fabric of the sport. We have seen heroes like Damon Hill depart as champions and brilliant talents like Juan Pablo Montoya arrive like a hurricane, only for the cycle of Formula 1 to move them on.
It is fascinating to see how the landscape of this iconic team has shifted. Whether it was the tragic circumstances that defined Hill’s tenure or the missed opportunities that kept drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa from reaching even higher tallies, the history of Williams is rarely straightforward. Now, the mantle belongs to Albon, a driver who has carved his own path at a team that has lived through so much.
