Williams Racing set to celebrate Alex Albon’s 100th Formula 1 race start at United States Grand Prix in Austin

Williams Racing is gearing up for a special weekend at the United States Grand Prix in Austin as Alex Albon, the team’s star driver, reaches the milestone of 100 Formula 1 race starts. The celebration will have various events and tributes, including a custom centenary logo on Albon’s FW46 and numerous fan-focused activities.

The Thai-British driver will hit the 100-race mark after five years in the sport. Reflecting on his journey, Albon expressed his excitement for the momentous occasion, calling it a "surreal feeling" and expressing gratitude for his time in the sport. "It’s a great opportunity to pause and reflect on the progress I’ve made as a driver, and I’m excited to reach 100 more races," Albon said. He also shared his hopes of making the celebration special by bringing in points for Williams Racing.

In honour of the achievement, Albon's FW46 will carry a commemorative logo, while a fan-designed rear wing will also make its debut. This unique feature, selected through the popular Kraken Rear Wing Takeover competition, attracted over 32,000 votes. Fans will get a chance to view the car up close at the Austin Fan Zone, where Williams Racing has organized a range of activities.

What else will be inside the Austin fan zone?

The Fan Zone will feature appearances by key team members, including Albon, Franco Colapinto, Team Principal James Vowles, and 2009 World Champion Jenson Button. The week-long celebrations also highlight Williams Racing’s commitment to its supporters, offering fans the chance to meet their heroes and even participate in racing simulators, with the fastest virtual racers earning the opportunity to qualify for the Prodigy Three Series.

In addition to the centenary festivities, Albon and his fellow drivers will visit Komatsu’s proving grounds in Arizona for a thrilling experience with earth-moving machinery before heading to Austin. The outreach will extend to engineering students, as Jamie Chadwick will visit the University of Texas to inspire young talent and showcase Williams’ dedication to developing the future of motorsport.

Team Principal James Vowles praised Albon for his dedication and growth over his 99 races so far. “Alex has shown over the previous 99 Grands Prix that he is one of the fastest, most determined, and most dedicated drivers in the sport," Vowles said. He also looked forward to celebrating the achievement with fans and securing a positive result during the race.