Albon's Melbourne Mayhem: Williams Faces Heat Over Chassis Debacle
Mar.24 - Williams is still taking fire for its lack of preparation for the 2024 season.
Alex Albon crashed heavily in Melbourne practice, badly damaging the chassis. He was then shuffled into the sidelined teammate Logan Sargeant's car for the remainder of the weekend - enraging his fans and puzzling Formula 1 experts.
"I would have made the same decision," former Haas boss Gunther Steiner told Servus TV. "You just have to look at the statistics - Alex did a very good job for them last year. The team is always the focus.
"But if I was Logan Sargeant, I would be asking why there is no replacement chassis. I find that amazing," Steiner insisted. "I have never heard that there is no replacement chassis at the third race of the season."
A sheepish team boss James Vowles, formerly at title-winning Mercedes, explained to reporters in Melbourne that Williams has been caught out in its transition phase from outdated methods to the highest standards in F1.
"This year's car has almost ten times more parts than last year's," he explained.
But, alarmingly, a spare chassis will still not be ready for Suzuka in two weeks - leaving Williams scrambling to repair the badly-damaged Albon monocoque instead.
"I'm sure we'll have two cars in Japan," Vowles said, "but I can't guarantee this 100 percent. It all depends on the analysis of the damage at the factory, but the probability is very high."
Sargeant, therefore, might face yet another grand prix on the bench. "That of course sucks for Logan," triple world champion Max Verstappen told De Telegraaf newspaper in Melbourne.
"I understand the team making that decision from the performance aspect," the Red Bull driver added. "But it's not nice. I wouldn't have given up my car in such a case. Certainly not in my position.
"Then I would have been on the plane by now," the Dutchman smiled. "And first I would destroy my own car so no one could drive it anymore.
"Luckily in my position I don't have to worry about something like that happening to me."
It's also an awkward situation for Albon - destroying his own car and then sidelining the hapless Sargeant, 23.
"No one wants to race in a teammate's car, and I don't either," Albon insisted. "I've never been in a situation like this before and it's a strange feeling.
"I just have to try to ignore the whole story as much as possible."
According to Vowles, Sargeant took the news with "a lot more maturity than I would have at his age". Indeed, the American returned to the garage on Saturday and Sunday to watch Albon qualifying and race his car.
"His ethics are incredibly strong in that regard," Vowles said, admitting it was difficult to explain to Sargeant why the decision was made.
"I told him the facts. He has improved, he is closer to Alex than before, but he is not quite at the level to be in front of Alex," said the team boss.
"But I haven't changed my mind about Logan. I signed him and put all my support behind him because I believe in him."
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Not having a spare monocoque on-site even in Suzuka would be even more embarrassing.
10 times more parts, really? Call that progress and just look where's it's got them if true.
From Williams site
The new Concorde Agreement is set to transform the sport and will help address the historical challenges that Williams has faced as an independent constructor, by reducing the financial and on-track disparities between teams and creating a fairer, more competitive sport. The new changes present an exciting opportunity for Williams, which together with the new ownership, will secure the long-term future of Williams at the pinnacle of motorsport.
we wanted to find a partner who shared the same passion and values, who recognised the team’s potential and who could unlock its power. In Dorilton we know we have found exactly that.
The sale ensures the team’s survival but most importantly will provide a path to success
We also recognise the world class facilities at Grove and confirm that there are no plans to relocate. (BUT THAT WAS NOT IT AT ALL)
Oops sorry that was 2020 and here we are 2024 abundant success.
Oh we need parts? We're right onto it ..sometime
Big business at its BS best
Vulture Capitalists tend to starve the fire sale bought firms of cash , getting there investment back as soon as they can, as i predicted this seems exactly whats happening, JV would have known they needed a spare chassis, for race 1, so not to have it, yep cash starvation 100%
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