Williams in the News: The best from Baku

Williams Racing’s impressive performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix has understandably garnered plenty of attention this week.

Alex Albon secured a season-best P7 finish in Baku, while rookie Franco Colapinto claimed the first Formula 1 points of his career after placing eighth.

The duo’s success on the shores of the Caspian Sea inevitably grabbed the headlines — and Franco’s breakout performance proved particularly hard to ignore.

Formula1.com covered the Argentine driver’s delight at finishing P8, as he declared the result “a dream come true”.“It feels fantastic to be honest,” he said after the race.

“I am very happy, very proud of the team. What we have achieved together is incredible and I am delighted for the job and the work we have been doing.”

The Buenos Aires native later added: “It is very special, a dream come true. It is a long season still and we have many races left together but it is a great start. Very motivating for the next race.”

Meanwhile, Autosport focused on Franco’s assertion that Sunday’s result has hopefully demonstrated he deserves a seat in Formula 1.

“They [Williams] showed so much confidence and trust in putting me in a seat,” he explained.

“It was a very difficult bet, and a bet that many people didn't understand.

“But I hope to be showing what I'm capable of and that I deserve a seat in Formula 1. The idea and the opportunity that James [Vowles] gave me are helping me to show that.”

The Buenos Aires Herald continued the positive coverage of Franco’s performance, while Sky Sports preferred to highlight the driver’s lighter side with a ‘ten quickfire questions’ video feature.

Elsewhere, the 21-year-old’s future prospects were discussed by Autosport, amid links to Sauber, who will become Audi in 2026.

Williams Team Principal James Vowles reflected on the issue, saying: “In two races he [Franco] showed the world he's deserving of a place in Formula 1

“I have always been a firm believer that you have to let good drivers race. So we'll see if we can find a way of working with Audi in that circumstance.”

Alex’s first-class performance attracted plenty of interest, too, of course.

He placed fourth in The Race’s Azerbaijan GP driver rankings, based on a range of criteria from pace to racecraft.

Formula1.com also reacted to Albono’s display in Baku, as he matched his best result while driving for Williams Racing.“I didn’t expect it, we didn’t expect it, we thought we would have quite a simple race,” he revealed.

“I didn’t really know where my race was, I didn’t know where I was going to come out, it was all a little bit unknown.

“Honestly, we were okay in the second stint, I thought I could get Fernando [Alonso] but he had a great end to his race, he was quick at the end so didn’t quite get him.

AA23 also noted that “the [upgrade] package is working well”, ahead of the team’s visit to Singapore this weekend.