Preview: Barcelona beckons for Alex

Find out what Alex had to say ahead of a record-breaking weekend for him at Williams

Published

04 JUN 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

Alex is all set for the seventh round of the 2026 Formula 1 season as the championship heads to Spain for the newly named Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

Fresh from his best Sunday of the campaign so far, having secured P8 around the streets of Monaco, Alex arrives in Barcelona looking to build on the momentum generated during the opening European race of the season.

The weekend also marks a historic occasion for the Thai driver. By taking the start on Sunday, Alex will make his 96th Grand Prix appearance for Atlassian Williams F1 Team, moving clear of Nigel Mansell to become the driver with the most race starts in the team's history.

His thoughts:

"It's great to be back in Barcelona this weekend - I love the food here and the atmosphere is also incredible, with the Spanish fans bringing so much energy to the weekend," Alex said.

"Monaco was a complicated weekend to manage, but we kept our heads down and came away with points. We'll be looking to take another step forward here in Barcelona and build on the past few races.

“On a personal note, it’s quite incredible to reach the milestone of becoming the driver with the most Grand Prix starts in Williams' history. This is a team with an extraordinary legacy in this sport, and to have my name associated with it in that way is very special and something I am proud of.

"To mark the occasion, I'll be running a tribute helmet this weekend inspired by Nigel Mansell's 1992 championship-winning design. He's a true legend of the sport and such an iconic part of what Williams stands for, so it felt like the right way to celebrate it - and a big thank you to Nigel for giving his blessing.

“Now the focus is on executing a clean weekend and making the most of every session, and to put ourselves in the best position possible come Sunday."

The track:

The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya remains one of Formula 1's most complete examinations of both car and driver. A mixture of high-speed corners, long-radius turns and technical final-sector sequences means there are few places to hide, making it a favourite venue for testing and development programmes throughout the years.

The opening sector is highlighted by the sweeping Turn 3 right-hander, one of the longest corners on the calendar, before the circuit flows into a technical middle section and a demanding final sector that rewards balance, tyre management and consistency.

Previous outings:

Alex’s first taste of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya came in Formula Renault 2.0 back in 2012. Success would follow here in the junior categories, including a GP3 Sprint Race victory in 2016 alongside a sixth-place Feature Race finish.

Alex continued to impress at the circuit in Formula 2, securing multiple points finishes and a P2 on his final F2 visit there.

The circuit was also the venue for his first laps in Formula 1 machinery during pre-season testing ahead of the 2019 campaign, and he has since raced there six times in Formula 1. His strongest result came in 2020 with an eighth-place finish, while the venue has often proven a challenging one for Williams in recent seasons.

The 2026 Barcelona Albono is ready to collect!

We'll be covering the action every step of the way, so make sure to follow along on our live blog via the AA23 website and app.

And don't forget to claim Alex's latest Fan Passport stamp before racing concludes in Barcelona. You can add this week's Albono to your collection via the link below.

Enjoy the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix!