Alex Albon, the leading Williams driver, who recently signed a new long-term contract with the Grove-based team, had not even completed eight laps in the first practice session at Imola when technical problems occurred with his car – the engine simply failed.
Williams team leader James Vowles commented on the not-so-pleasant start to the weekend: “The car hasn’t been delivered to us yet – so far we’ve only been able to send our mechanics there, and they will carry out an initial inspection. account. Alex was driving down the highway, hit a curb, which was completely normal, and then everything shut down.
The engine stopped running and the display on the steering wheel went dark. Typically this can happen when the ERS system is completely disabled or the main switch for all electronic systems is activated. In such emergency situations, marshals cannot touch the car as we cannot confirm how safe this is.
Everything unknown always causes fear. But both our cars will take part in the second practice. However, at this stage of the weekend no such issues should arise and that is my main concern now. How everything will turn out on other days of the weekend worries me less than the questions to which we have not yet found answers.”
When Vowles was asked about next year’s selection, with Albon already confirmed, he replied: “This is a very important event that we have been preparing for the last four or five months. Alex sees the team’s progress, sees what resources are being invested and wants to participate in this project.
He is a great driver and of course he had other options to continue his career, but the decision to stay with Williams is a very serious demonstration of his intentions, both his, mine and Williams’. As for Logan Sargent, we had a heart-to-heart conversation, which was very tough. It must be said straight away that he is at risk of losing his place in the team. He should show better results. Only the best stay in Formula 1. I try to help him, I want him to perform more successfully, but we are already in negotiations with several other riders, because in 2025 and the years after that the team must have a strong composition.
I’m not ready to name names yet, but there could be news on this topic in a few weeks. I’m not saying that Williams’ lineup could change this season; I am only talking about 2025 and 2026. The news that may appear in a few weeks is not news about a contract with a specific driver. I am prepared to comment on our staffing situation.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
