Williams 'not where we want to be' as Albon insists team have 'clear strategy' to improve

Alex Albon admits that Williams are 'not where we want to be as a team' after a difficult start to the 2026 campaign, but that the squad 'have a clear strategy' to improve the performance of the FW48.

Both Albon and team mate Carlos Sainz endured difficult races at the opening round of the season last weekend in Melbourne, as neither driver reached the points and were left only P12 and P15.

Much was expected of the Grove-based team this season, with the new regulations seen as a chance for the squad to move further towards the front after an encouraging 2025 campaign that ended with fifth in the Teams' Championship.

But Williams missed the initial Barcelona Shakedown in January, due to delays in the FW48 programme, though they did record plenty of mileage in the two Bahrain tests. However, the team are openly still behind and, ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend, Albon admitted they had plenty of work to do.

"It's not where we want to be as a team, we are disappointed where we've started," said Albon on Thursday in Shanghai.

"It's just how it goes sometimes, we've got a clear plan to come back. I think the gap to the top of the midfield is quite large. We know where the issues are and I think it will take a bit of time, more than we would like, but we have a clear strategy to come back."

With the first Sprint of the year taking place this weekend, teams and drivers have only a single, one-hour practice session to dial in their cars at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Although the layout offers a different challenge compared with a week ago in Australia, Albon believes that Williams might struggle even more if previous form is to be taken into account.

"I think we might be further way here, this kind of track doesn't normally suit us," he said.

"If you look at last year, we were quite strong in Melbourne, that track normally goes well for us. When I look at last year, we fell back in China.

"I think we still have similar characteristic issues like last year. This track is quite front limited and exposes cars that have a bit of understeer and I think we'll have that this weekend."