Alex Albon: We have big problems this weekend

Alex Albon’s fourteenth place in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix was the worst result by a Williams driver this season. His partner Logan Sargent stopped fighting again in the first session and posted a nineteenth fastest time. The team made no bones about the fact that the results were to be expected, as Suzuka is not suitable for the FW46 car.

Alex Albon (14th): “We have big problems this weekend and I don’t feel comfortable in the car, which is unpleasant, but it was to be expected. We made some adjustments to the car that made the FW46 feel better in some corners, but in other corners it just got worse.

Slipping should not be allowed on this track as the surface is quite aggressive and the tires wear out. Normally we can get away with a lot of sliding on slippery roads, but on circuits like Suzuka we pay a high price. In addition, I had serious problems with overheating and at the same time I had to take care of the tires in the corners, which was not easy.

If we talk about the race, the car looked good in the third practice in several long heats. Strategy will be important though, so we’ll see what we can do.”

Logan Sargent (19th): “A pretty good result considering what happened in Friday’s practice and the few laps I did in the third session. We managed to set up the car properly and make the right decisions. I don’t think it could have gone better.

I was only one and a half tenths short of qualifying for the second part – the results were very tight. I’m quite happy with the way I’m riding, as we’re lacking some speed this weekend.

In tomorrow’s race a lot will depend on the degradation of the tires, so the key will be the correct passage of the first sector. I’m going to try to make a good start and hope I can get a decent position.”