Alex Albon admitted his performance “just got better and better” during an incredible first stint at the Australian Grand Prix.
Starting last after being disqualified from qualifying for failing to provide a sufficient fuel sample, the Williams driver completed 57 of the 58 laps on the hard tyre before pitting on the final lap.
With a gaggle of cars behind him, it was thought the effort would be in vain, however, Albon emerged in P10 after his stop and held off Zhou Guanyu for the last lap to claim the final point.
“It just got better and better and by the end of it, it felt like qualifying laps for the last 25 laps of the race,” he said of the pace during his long first stint.
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“Obviously it [the result] is completely unexpected, but it really highlights all the work that’s been done at the factory and here at the track.
“That’s what determination and motivation – that’s where it gets you.
“It’s been an amazing day and I’m glad I could get this result for the team.”
Albon had been able to keep up the pace on old tyres thanks to being in a DRS train, but when he became the leader of that group after the Virtual Safety Car triggered by Max Verstappen’s retirement, he did fear the worst.
“I thought, ‘Okay well they know something I don’t’,” he said.
“One of the Haas’ boxed in front of me and that was my point where I thought, ‘Okay it’s going to be a tricky race now’ because that DRS was saving me from being overtaken from the pack behind.
Rumour has it that @alex_albon is still going round Albert Park on that set of hard tyres ? pic.twitter.com/EmVnmSnCIm
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) April 11, 2022
“But once we got clear air we just went, we were on much older tyres than the guys around us and we were keeping pace more or less with the McLarens. At the very end pulling away from the Alpines.
“What’s interesting is that C2 tyres really suits our car. We almost need to understand why because it’s a bit unexpected, clearly this result,” the former Red Bull driver added.
“Maybe we need to qualify, race, do everything on that tyre. Bring in 10 sets for the whole thing!”
P10 also marked Williams’ first points of the season and Albon is confident it will be a morale boost for the team back in Grove.
“It’s a much-needed result,” he said. “I feel like when you have a tough start to the season you want to switch that momentum and have positivity with what you’re doing.
“It’s hard when you don’t get good results, it is a tough time but it motivates me, it motivates the team to get that point on the board and now we’re hungry for more.”