Who is Alexander Albon, the Thai driver who races for Williams alongside Franco Colapinto?

Alexander Albon, the British-Thai driver currently racing for Williams in Formula 1, has been key in the recent configuration of the British team’s starting grid, leaving the Argentine Frank Colapinto out of the initial plans for the 2025 season.

Born in London on March 23, 1996, Albon has built a solid career in motorsport, standing out not only for his skills on the track, but also for his versatility and resilience, traits that have led him to be one of the most stable drivers on the Formula 1 grid in recent years.

The son of a British father and a Thai mother, Albon has made the most of his roots to represent Thailand on the world’s most demanding circuits, becoming the first driver from that nation to achieve a podium finish in Formula 1. His career began in 2012 when he joined the Red Bull Junior programme, a springboard that propelled him to the higher categories. After participating in championships such as Formula Renault 2.0 and FIA Formula 3, Albon consolidated his talent by debuting in Formula 2 in 2017, obtaining several podiums and victories that positioned him as one of the most promising emerging talents.

Albon’s big break came in 2019 when Red Bull offered him a seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso, catapulting him into Formula 1. Without hesitation, Albon accepted the offer and passed up the chance to race in Formula E with Nissan. With his debut at the Australian Grand Prix, he made history by becoming the first Thai to race in Formula 1 since Prince Bira in 1954. Since then, his career has been marked by ups and downs, but he has always found a way to stay relevant in the category, securing a contract renewal with Williams, a team he joined in 2022.

Against this backdrop, Franco Colapinto, the young Argentinian driver who has caused a sensation in recent weeks, seemed to be an attractive option to take a place on the Williams starting grid. Colapinto made his Formula 1 debut in 2024, surprising everyone with a 12th place at the Italian Grand Prix and an eighth place in Azerbaijan. These initial results generated a wave of interest from the teams, making his name resonate strongly within the paddock. However, Albon’s renewal and the confirmation of Carlos Sainz as a driver for 2025 at Williams have left Colapinto momentarily out of the plans for next year.

Albon himself has spoken out about Colapinto, highlighting his talent and competitive mentality. “Franco is doing a great job. This opportunity to reach Formula 1 was something I was somewhat expecting, especially after his impressive performance at Silverstone,” commented the Thai driver. In addition, Albon stressed that what impresses him most about Colapinto is his mental focus, an essential quality in a sport that demands precision and endurance under pressure.

While Colapinto’s future in Formula 1 is uncertain, there are several options being considered for 2025. One of them is that he continues in Formula 2, where he has proven to be at the level of the best drivers. Another possibility is that he takes up a reserve driver’s role at Williams, although his remarkable emergence in the premier class suggests that his career could continue to advance in Formula 1. In addition, there are rumours that Audi, which will take over the reins of the Sauber team in 2026, is watching the Argentine with interest. The German team could be considering Colapinto for a seat in the future, which would open the door to a new opportunity in the category.

Colapinto has caused a sensation in his home country, Argentina, by becoming the first driver in 23 years to compete in Formula 1. His performance in Azerbaijan, where he scored points for the first time, positions him as a promising figure in Argentine motor racing, being the first driver to achieve this since Carlos Reutemann more than 40 years ago.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Carlos Sainz to Williams for 2025, a signing that has generated great expectations within the team, poses a challenge for Albon. Sainz, currently at Ferrari, is considered one of the most complete drivers on the grid, and his presence at the British team will be an additional motivation for Albon to continue proving his worth. In this regard, Albon has acknowledged the importance of having a teammate of Sainz’s calibre, who, according to him, will be a great support for Williams to continue growing in the coming seasons.

The fight for a seat in Formula 1 is fierce, and while Albon has managed to consolidate his place at Williams, Colapinto is still waiting for his chance. With his remarkable talent and determination, the young Argentine will surely have new opportunities to demonstrate his ability in the highest category of world motorsport.