Alex Albon bemoans undeserving finish at Dutch GP

Albon said his Williams performed well and could have had a P6 finish.

Alex Albon bemoans undeserving finish at Dutch GP

Alex Albon (Image via Imago)

Capitalizing on a superb qualifying, Alex Albon began the Dutch Grand Prix from fourth on the grid. Despite securing an eighth place at the finish line, his disappointment was palpable. The car’s exceptional performance had raised hopes for a more significant points gain, leaving the Thai driver yearning for a more fruitful outcome.

Alex Albon mentioned that he needed to remind himself to find happiness in the situation. He noted that they had been in fifth place initially, but the rain had intervened. He pointed out that they hadn’t chosen the ideal strategy by switching to Intermediate tires early. However, he expressed that they had made the correct decision to remain on the track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByJ7ksh93bU

Alex Albon pushed the limits and made the tires last. Albon also remarked that their performance on both Soft and Medium tires had been excellent. He highlighted the satisfaction of overtaking the Mercedes cars and how everything had been progressing positively.

FS Video

“I have to remind myself to be happy. We were running P5 at the start and then the rain came. We didn’t do the optimal thing of pitting early for the Intermediate tyre but then we did the right thing to stay out. We had a great stint on the Soft tires, we had a great stint on the Medium tires,” Alex Albon said according to Racingnews365.

Also read: Alex Albon makes a bold claim, says Williams is ‘on par with Aston Martin and Ferrari’

Alex Albon claims his Williams’ was capable of more than a P8 finish

Williams FW45 at the 2023 Dutch GP.
Williams FW45 at the 2023 Dutch GP. (Via Motorsport)

As rain drenched Zandvoort’s first lap, Albon chose to stay out, defying a pit stop. He impressively maneuvered 44 laps on his initial soft tires. A brilliant medium tire stint elevated him into the top 10. Amid race chaos, late rain prompted frantic pit lane decisions – some opting for intermediates, others for full wets, and Albon briefly staying out before pitting.

Recalling the race, he recounted holding sixth place and gaining on fifth and fourth. Hopeful for a strong finish, rain predictions emerged. Admitting a potentially overly cautious approach, he recognized losing ground, partly self-attributed. A fleeting strategic advantage vanished as heavy rain arrived suddenly, altering the scenario. Despite an unsatisfying eighth position, he valued the improved car performance experienced.

“We lost out to the other cars, partly me to blame I think. I did half a lap and thought ‘they’ve pitted too early, I’ve nailed them,” he said. Further, Albon concluded by saying that overall he is happy with the performance of his car but is disappointed because he could have had a P6 finish.

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