The Albert Park weekend showed a flash of success for Carlos Sainz but also showed that Albon’s risk may be paying off

Yuki Tsunoda’s “magical lap” that ended in the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver qualifying fifth for the Australian Grand Prix was one of the first big surprises of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The driver who will start alongside him delivered another.

After grabbing headlines in testing with impressive times, Williams have only gone from strength to strength. Alex Albon converted a brilliant p6 in qualifying to P4 on race day, the team’s best result since Spa 2021.

Albon will start behind McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, reigning world champion Max Verstappen, George Russell and Yuki Tsunoda at the Albert Park Circuit

Discarded by Ferrari, Carlos Sainz said he felt vindicated for joining Williams after both he and teammate Alex Albon qualified in the top 10 on Saturday for the Australian Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz turned "additional strategist" for Williams after crashing out of the Australian Grand Prix. Williams F1 team principal James Vowles has revealed Carlos Sainz steered the team’s strategy after crashing out of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz both made it through to Q3 in Melbourne, with Albon set to start from the third row on Sunday.