Having changed Logan Sargeant with Franco Colapinto for the Monza spherical, Williams have endured a busy weekend thus far in Italy, however the staff lived as much as expectations at a observe the place they normally excel.
Alexander Albon seemed sturdy all via the weekend, and the Thai driver managed to hold that kind into qualifying. Albon made the lower into the ultimate qualifying phase to safe ninth spot on the grid for tomorrow’s Italian Grand Prix.
“P9 is nice, so I’m very joyful. We have been the perfect of the remaining thus far this weekend and that’s the place we hoped to be, however I don’t suppose we actually believed we’d be right here, so it’s good.
“When the automobile continues to ship within the apply periods, it does add a bit of additional stress to ensure we ship in Qualifying, but it surely all paid off. It’s a really completely different observe to Zandvoort and nearly as good because the upgrades have been, we all know this observe does swimsuit our automobile, however we additionally know that if we didn’t have the improve, we wouldn’t be in Q3, in order that’s a pleasant takeaway.
“We have been combating the Haas all through Qualifying and so they appear to have barely stronger race tempo for tomorrow. Graining can be our largest concern, however let’s see how we go.
His new team-mate Franco Colapinto hardly put a foot fallacious in his very first qualifying session, ending up 18th on the grid for tomorrow’s Italian Grand Prix.
The previous F2 driver steadily elevated his pace via the weekend, and he was in with an opportunity for a spot in Q2, however a small mistake within the second sector price him helpful time.
“It was particular to do my first Qualifying session in F1. I’ve loved each second of the weekend thus far. Sadly, I made somewhat mistake on my second push which price me the possibility to do a superb second lap.
“It was trying promising as I used to be in a superb place after my first lap and, after all, working in the direction of making a step on the second push. The automobile was very aggressive, and I believe it was attainable to undergo to Q2 in the present day. Nonetheless, that is simply the beginning and there are issues I nonetheless have to work on with solely having a number of laps in an F1 automobile.
“I’m a bit pissed off proper now however I do know there may be a variety of potential, and the staff has been working laborious to make the automobile swimsuit me a bit higher. Tomorrow will present a fantastic alternative to study extra in regards to the automobile and tyres in addition to managing a full race distance in F1. Let’s see the way it goes,” famous the Argentinian driver.
“One of the best we might have carried out👊”
Alex displays on qualifying right here in Monza 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/X614CHDEKG
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) August 31, 2024
Reflecting on the staff’s day at Monza, Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets was delighted with Franco Colapinto’s first qualifying session, however rues a small mistake that in all probability price the teenager a shot at Q2.
“Total, a really constructive day in the present day as we confirmed the automobile’s efficiency of final week in Zandvoort. In Q1, each drivers have been pleased with their automobile and Alex moved swiftly into Q2.
“Sadly, Franco made a small mistake in his second push lap which price him dearly as up until then he was on the tempo to cross into Q2. It grew to become clear it was going to be tight to get into Q3, however a fantastic lap secured Alex a spot into the highest 10.
“In Q3, Alex claimed P9 which was the very best place achievable in the present day, however he and the staff can look again on a fantastic Qualifying session. Tomorrow it is going to be all about tyre administration as it is going to be very popular once more with observe temps above 50 levels, however we’re assured now we have a superb race automobile and can have the ability to struggle for factors.
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