Qatar GP: Williams Racing lacks qualifying pace


By Williams Racing
December 1 2024

After a difficult Sprint where both Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto could not make much forward progress Williams Racing would go into qualifying for the 2024 Qatar GP hopeful that changes made after the Sprint would improve the performance of their cars. But come the end of qualifying both Alex and Franco would be knocked out in Q1 finishing in 15th and 18th. But the gaps between the drivers in the midfield were so close that Alex did not make it through by the smallest of margins. But still the FW46 simply lacked a competitive pace but the team is hopeful for Sunday's race after their results in their Friday race simulations.

 
 Williams Racing Qatar GP Sprint & Race Qualifying
Colapinto
 
Colapinto 
 

Franco Colapinto:
"It didn’t feel very comfortable to drive today and we struggled with the balance in Qualifying which made it very tricky for us. We changed the suspension in Parc Fermé which meant that we hadn’t had the chance to do a low fuel run in this set-up and we paid the price a little bit. We also made some changes after the Sprint Race, but maybe it wasn’t quite in the right direction. It’s a pity because the gaps were very tight, but our long run pace yesterday was strong, so we will focus on pushing tomorrow and see how it goes."

Albon

Alex Albon:
"We just weren’t quick enough today and we have been struggling with that all weekend. Teams like Alpine and Stake have been bringing upgrades, so we’ve just fallen a little behind. We made some good changes between the Sprint Race and Qualifying, but it wasn’t quite enough; we also got caught out a little bit with wind at the end of our Quali lap. Tomorrow we’ll try to learn and do the best job that we can but it’s not easy to overtake here so we’ll have to see what we can do."

Smeets
 

Sven Smeets, Sporting Director:
"Not the result we wanted today as we struggled to find the performance needed to be competitive. Both cars were eliminated in Q1 although it was very close for Alex to move into Q2 but he had a snap and lost time in the last corner of his final lap. We’ll see what we can do tomorrow as our long run pace on Friday was competitive but it’s difficult to overtake here so it will be a hard fight to gain some places."

Albon
 
Colapinto
 

Track: Lusail International Circuit, Qatar 

Lap Length: 5.419 km
 
SPRINT RACE
Pos Driver Team Fastest Lap Grid  
15 A Albon Williams Racing +33.062 1:25.443 12
18 F Colapinto Williams Racing +35.639 1:25.599 Pit Lane  
 
GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3
16 A Albon Williams Racing 1:22.390   - -
19 F Colapinto Williams Racing 1:22.594 - -
 
Colapinto
 

Bookmark or share this story with:

Qatar GP: Williams Racing lacks qualifying pace
Discussion started by Williams F1 , 01/12/2024 00:11
Williams F1
01/12/2024 00:11
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net