Albon overtakes Mansell as Williams' most-capped driver

Alex Albon became the most-capped driver in Williams history at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix, making his 96th start for the team and overtaking Nigel Mansell’s long-standing total of 95 Williams appearances. To mark the milestone Albon planned to race with a bespoke blue, white and red helmet modeled on Mansell’s 1992 championship design as a tribute. Albon described it as “incredible” to have raced for Williams more often than “one of the true greats,” calling Mansell “an inspiration” and “a true fighter and a legend for both Williams and Formula 1.” Albon had equalled Mansell’s 95 Williams starts at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he climbed from 11th on the grid to finish eighth and score four points. Since joining Williams in 2022 he has helped guide the team from the back of the grid into the midfield, recorded multiple fifth‑place finishes and scored 121 points for the Grove squad. He is on track to reach 100 Williams starts at the Hungarian Grand Prix later in the season. Fewer than 30 drivers have achieved 100 race starts with a single team. The milestone and Mansell‑inspired helmet drew public praise from Williams team principal James Vowles and from Nigel Mansell. The record and the tribute were presented as recognition of Albon’s commitment and of the team’s progress rather than as a single isolated result.