Williams driver Alex Albon delivered a standout performance, securing a commendable P6 finish and earning vital points for his team. The Thai-British driver, who started the race from P5 after a stellar qualifying, expressed his delight at holding off a charging Lewis Hamilton for much of the race, showcasing his defensive prowess in challenging conditions.
Despite losing a position early on to George Russell, Albon’s composure and strategic execution ensured he brought home a strong result, solidifying Williams’ position as a consistent midfield contender in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The race began under tricky circumstances, with heavy rain delaying the start by 80 minutes and forcing the field to navigate four laps behind the Safety Car. Albon, who had secured a brilliant P5 in qualifying, found himself struggling slightly in the wet conditions, allowing Russell’s Mercedes to overtake him on the Kemmel Straight and demote him to P6.
However, as the track began to dry and teams switched to slick tires, Albon found his rhythm, settling into a groove that allowed him to fend off the seven-time world champion Hamilton, who had stormed through the field from a pit-lane start.
Reflecting on the race, Albon expressed his satisfaction with the result, particularly the challenge of keeping Hamilton at bay. “I’m really happy; we’re top of the midfield, so that’s always nice, and I managed to hold off Lewis, which is never easy,” Albon said post-race. “I struggled a little bit in the rain, which is to be expected, so I lost that position to George early on, but after that, we settled in and were able to maintain position and finish strong. It was important to not make mistakes with Lewis behind, but I think his downforce worked in our favour.” His ability to withstand lap-after-lap pressure from Hamilton, who had DRS for extended periods, highlighted Albon’s growing maturity as a driver and Williams’ competitive edge in race trim.
Williams team principal James Vowles praised Albon’s performance, emphasizing his flawless execution under pressure. “Well done, Alex. Really strong drive from you today,” Vowles said over the radio. “We’ll learn from that P6, defending every lap. Brilliant, brilliant job.” Albon, in turn, credited the team’s efforts, noting the strength of the FW47 package. “Thanks James. The package was working well, so thank you everyone,” he replied. “Thank you to the factory for getting that early. Thanks for the hard work.”
The result marked another strong points haul for Albon, who has now scored in nine of the ten races he has finished this season. His consistency has been a cornerstone of Williams’ campaign, with the team holding fifth in the constructors’ standings. Albon reflected on this reliability, stating, “It shows that if we had finished every race, we would have scored points in nearly every race, and that’s a really good trait to have. It means the DNA of the car is consistent, and we are not peaking. I think we are the most consistent midfield team, and we can go to every weekend knowing we can score points as long as we can finish the race.”
However, the weekend was not without its challenges for Williams. Albon’s teammate, Carlos Sainz, endured a difficult race, finishing P18 after starting from the pit lane due to setup changes aimed at capitalizing on wet conditions.
The gamble on a higher downforce rear wing did not pay off as the track dried quicker than anticipated, leaving Sainz struggling to recover positions. Despite the setback, Albon’s P6 ensured Williams left Spa with valuable points, further distancing themselves from their midfield rivals.