Williams 'incredibly disappointed' as Albon thrown out of Dutch GP qualifying
Sun 25, Aug, 2024
Source: The Race
Williams driver Alex Albon has been removed from Formula 1's Dutch Grand Prix qualifying results, costing him his best grid position of 2024 so far.
Albon had qualified what is an upgraded Williams FW46 this weekend in a provisional eighth place but two hours after qualifying the FIA's technical delegate Jo Bauer reported the #23 Williams to the stewards because "the floor body was found to lie outside the regulatory volume mentioned in Article 3.5.1 a)" of the technical regulations.
The stewards' subsequent ruling - Albon's disqualification from the results - revealed Williams "did not dispute the calibration of the FIA measuring system and the measurement of the car, but stated their own measurements have produced different results".
But this was irrelevant to the outcome of the hearing, as the FIA measurement in parc ferme and "the due process prescribed by the regulations" in carrying out said measurement is sufficient to deem a car as being non-compliant.
The ruling drops Albon to the back of the grid alongside team-mate Logan Sargeant - who missed qualifying after a big crash in final practice.
But it isn't clear yet whether Albon will need to change floor spec and thus start from pitlane rather than the back row.
"We are incredibly disappointed with this outcome and will be carrying out a thorough investigation and will provide an update soon," a Williams statement read.
It lifts Lance Stroll to eighth, Pierre Gasly to ninth and Carlos Sainz into the top 10.
Zandvoort marks the debut of Williams's first major aero performance-oriented upgrade package of the season, with - perhaps crucially - a new floor among the suite of changes brought to the FW45.
It's the first of a two-part upgrade, the second half of which will address the balance issues both drivers have been frustrated with all season.
"The wind has been making it hard to truly see how much load we've put on the car. What I can see is, in terms of feeling, the car hasn't changed," Albon said after qualifying.
"So, the balance has been the same. It hasn't improved some of the limitations we have through corners. It is just a general weight reduction and downforce increase. So when I'm driving around I don't actually feel like I'm any different, but the laptimes [are] about three or four positions higher.
"In the next few races we've got another upgrade, aiming to fix more the balance of the car, which I'm very interested and excited [about]. So, let's see. But for now it's a good start."