![\"Albon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/MansellAlbon2.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlex Albon with Nigel Mansell and the tribute helmet he will run this weekend in Barcelona. Image: Williams<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlex Albon with Nigel Mansell and the tribute helmet he will run this weekend in Barcelona. Image: Williams<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old equalled Nigel Mansell\u2019s long-standing record of 95 Grand Prix starts for Williams in Monaco, with his 96th start for the team coming this weekend in Spain.<\/p>\n
To mark the occasion, Albon will run a special-edition helmet designed as a modern tribute to Mansell\u2019s iconic 1992 championship-winning lid in the blue, white and red Williams colours.<\/p>\n
The milestone will be further celebrated in Hungary next month, where Albon will complete his 100th Grand Prix start for Williams, becoming the first driver to reach the century figure for the iconic team.<\/p>\n
Albon said he was honoured to be breaking the record.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is incredible to think that I\u2019ve raced for this historic team more often than one of the true greats of the sport,\u201d Albon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNigel Mansell was an inspiration to me growing up, a true fighter and a legend for both Williams and Formula 1 as a whole.<\/p>\n
Tickets for the 2026 NTI Townsville 500 are on sale now. Secure your spot today. \u201cThis achievement is about far more than the number itself. Every grand prix start over the last five seasons represents the hard work of the entire team at Grove.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough the highs and lows, every race has contributed to the journey Williams has been on.\u201d<\/p>\n Albon has become a central figure in Williams\u2019 rebuild since joining the team in 2022, scoring 121 points and regularly delivering strong midfield results, with a highest drivers\u2019 championship finish of eighth achieved last season.<\/p>\n He is one of only 13 drivers to have driven for the team to reach a century of points, and only the third to start more than 90 Grands Prix for the team, alongside Mansell and Ralf Schumacher.<\/p>\n Team principal James Vowles said the achievements reflect the consistency and commitment behind the scenes at Grove.<\/p>\n \u201cRecords like this don\u2019t happen by accident \u2013 they\u2019re the result of years of hard work, trust, and belief on both sides,\u201d Vowles said.<\/p>\n \u201cI am immensely proud of Alex and everything he has achieved with this team.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has earned his place in Williams history, and we\u2019re proud to celebrate these milestones together.\u201d<\/p>\n Mansell said he was happy to see Albon reach such a historic achievement for the team.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so pleased to see Alex reach this milestone \u2013 it\u2019s a really special achievement and one he thoroughly deserves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe commitment he has shown to Williams over these past five seasons says everything about him as a driver and as a person.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it\u2019s not just Alex \u2013 the whole team is moving in the right direction, and that\u2019s brilliant to see.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no doubt he\u2019ll go on to make many, many more appearances in Williams colours.<\/p>\n \u201cAs for my wins record \u2013 I wouldn\u2019t rule anything out.\u201d<\/p>\n Mansell\u2019s 28 wins for Williams remains the benchmark figure for the team, with Damon Hill (21), Jacques Villeneuve (11) and Alan Jones (11) the only drivers to reach double-digit victories for the squad.<\/p>\n Speaking on the impending milestone to Speedcafe last year<\/a>, Albon said the run of appearances highlighted the team\u2019s wider trajectory since he joined.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest thing, it reminds me of the journey,\u201d he told Speedcafe in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n \u201cWilliams was the team that gave me my first opportunity back in 2022, and was the team to trust me in kind of being that person that could bring them back up to the front,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very proud to see where we\u2019ve come, where we\u2019ve moved to. And it gives me a lot of optimism towards the future as well.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like we\u2019re on the right path. I\u2019m very much a part of this journey as every other team member, I feel almost a responsibility in it in many ways as well.<\/p>\n \u201cTo think of myself along the likes of, you know, Nigel and Ralf, feels strange to say.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re in a different journey as a team to back then, but very proud and I think kind of shows as well that I believe in this project to be here for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams come to Barcelona off the back of a tricky start to the 2026 season, with the team in eighth place in the constructors\u2019 championship on eight points.<\/p>\n The track was the scene of their last victory in F1, achieved by Pastor Maldonado in 2012.<\/p>\n
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