Jarno Trulli admits he has no idea how fast 27-year-old Formula 1 driver is

Follow us on Google Discover

Former Formula 1 driver Jarno Trulli has admitted that he’s still not sure how fast Williams star Alex Albon really is.

Williams are in an interesting position this season as they try to look up the standings but know AlphaTauri over their shoulders have a big advantage over them as their relationship with Red Bull becomes closer.

However, writing in Gazzetta dello Sport, Jarno Trulli admits he still needs to see more of Alex Albon before deciding just how good he is.

It’s always a difficult position being the lead driver in a midfield or backmarker team.

You can look good against your teammate but earn virtually no reward as a result.

Williams and Albon felt like a match made in heaven after his tough spell at Red Bull but it already feels like he’s starting to outgrow the team.

He scored all but one of their points in 2023, with Logan Sargeant only recording a top-ten finish after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified in Austin.

Albon is expected to be a wanted man this season with so much potential change in driver line-ups.

Right now, Jarno Trulli is still unsure whether Albon is as quick as some people say he is, or whether he’s benefitting from outshining an inexperienced teammate at Williams.

The 27-year-old will know that he’s in a strong negotiating position right now, but if Williams are left behind by some of their rivals then he may suddenly drop off some teams’ radars.

It may not be the end of the world for him to stay at Williams, but he does have ambitions to drive further up the grid.

Trulli unsure on Williams star Albon

Previewing the upcoming season, Trulli simply said: “I don’t see other possible surprises. I still have to understand Alexander Albon.”

Given Albon will reach 100 Grand Prix in Formula 1 starts by the end of 2024, Trulli should have plenty to consider when assessing the Williams driver.

The Thai driver is seriously quick and was unfortunate at times during his stint with Red Bull while also coming up against one of the most ruthless drivers in F1 history.

He’s also a victim of being compared to a driver who is way below his level in Sargeant.

If he were outperforming a more experienced teammate then it would be clear to see that he was on top form in an average car.

Instead, there are question marks over whether Albon is doing what’s expected of his Williams, or whether Sargeant is simply underperforming.