Bad news for Williams following the GP Singapore qualification. Both drivers – Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr – have been disqualified for the session. Both of the Williams team’s cars failed the technical inspection after the qualification, as the upper rear wings did not comply with the regulations from the technical rules. As a result, Albon and Sainz respectively lose the twelfth and thirteenth spots on Sunday’s starting grid.
“The adjustable positions of the upper rear wing part were checked on cars with number 23 (Albon) and 55 (Sainz)”, according to a note from the FIA F1 technical delegate Jo Bauer. “Both cars exceeded the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the extreme area of the rear wing.” Bauer referred the case to the stewards, who subsequently disqualified the two drivers.
Vowles Responds
Williams team boss James Vowles is naturally disappointed with the disqualifications of his two drivers for the GP Singapore. “This is of course deeply disappointing for the team, and we are investigating how it could have happened,” writes the Brit in an official response. “We were certainly not trying to find a performance advantage in this way, and we previously approved the rear wings during our own checks. Ultimately, one measurement is decisive, and we fully accept the judgment of the FIA. We will do everything to fight our way forward again tomorrow. We will also scrutinize our processes to prevent a recurrence.”
