Albon surpasses Mansell to become Williams' most experienced F1 driver in Barcelona

Alex Albon will become the most experienced driver in Williams Formula 1 history at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona this weekend, breaking a tie with Nigel Mansell on 95 starts for the team that he matched at the Monaco Grand Prix.

To mark the occasion, Albon will wear a blue, white and red helmet closely modelled on the design Mansell used during his dominant 1992 world championship season — the year the Briton won nine of 16 races to claim the title with Williams.

“It is incredible to think that I’ve raced for this historic team more often than one of the true greats of the sport,” said Albon. “Nigel Mansell was an inspiration to me growing up, a true fighter and a legend for both Williams and Formula 1 as a whole. This achievement is about far more than the number itself.”

Albon joined Williams in 2022 after a difficult 2020 campaign at Red Bull left him without an F1 seat for the following year. Over four-plus seasons at Grove, the Thai-Briton has helped shift the team from the back of the grid into consistent midfield contention, though he is yet to add to the two podiums he scored during his time at Red Bull.

The milestone is partly a reflection of the expanded modern calendar — Albon has reached 96 starts in just over four seasons, while Mansell accumulated his 95 across seven years at the team, not all of them full campaigns.

Mansell, who remains Williams’ all-time leading race winner with 28 victories, offered warm words for his successor in the record books. “I’m so pleased to see Alex reach this milestone — it’s a really special achievement and one he thoroughly deserves,” Mansell said. “The commitment he has shown to Williams over these past five seasons says everything about him as a driver and as a person. As for my wins record — I wouldn’t rule anything out.”

Albon himself acknowledged the broader significance of the achievement beyond personal pride. “Every grand prix start over the last five seasons represents the hard work of the entire team at Grove. To have my name alongside legendary Williams drivers such as Nigel, Damon Hill, and Ralf Schumacher is a real privilege and a source of immense pride.”

Closing the gap on Mansell’s wins tally remains a distant prospect for now. Williams has endured a difficult start to the 2026 season, collecting just 11 points across six rounds to sit eighth in the Constructors’ Championship.