Williams set the fastest time of any team in pre-season testing but Alexander Albon believes the contest for quickest car in the midfield is between them and Alpine.

Albon downplayed more optimistic assessments of Williams’ performance after his new team mate Carlos Sainz Jnr set the quickest time of anyone in Bahrain two weeks ago.

“We had a good test,” Albon told the official F1 channel. “Obviously the results are as they are, but we know that’s testing.

“I’m sure we were running a little bit more ‘performant’ in terms of fuel loads and engine modes than maybe some other teams. The fight’s in the midfield for us.”

Williams endured a difficult start to last season when their car was initially over the minimum weight limit. But Albon said the team has done well with their new FW47 chassis.

“The car feels like it’s in a good place in terms of [being] on-weight, parts and everything else,” he said. “I think the team have done a fantastic job.”

The team’s target is to lead the midfield group behind likely front-runners McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes, said Albon. “We have to be realistic, I think Alpine are looking very strong as well. Maybe a little bit stronger.”

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However, with little to separate the midfield runners, Albon expects the competitive picture “will change from race to race.”

“Some tracks will benefit us, some tracks will benefit them. RB [Racing Bulls] look strong as well. Haas, you never know where they’re going to be. I’m obviously talking about the midfield battle here.

“Whatever it is, it’s very tight. I think between the spread, it’s a tenth [of a second] and a half between all of us, so it’s close.”

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