Williams FW46: Albon Struggles in Qualifying but Remains Hopeful for Race Day

Kosport Magazine – 02/12/2024

Last year, Williams’ FW45 ⁤was known for its impressive top speed, allowing it to excel on certain tracks and secure points for driver Alex Albon. However, for the 2024 season, ‍the team has focused on developing ⁢a car that is consistently competitive on ‍a variety ​of circuits.

This shift in focus has resulted​ in the car losing its straight-line advantage, as noted by Albon⁤ during the recent race in Jeddah. He now finds himself having to make⁤ overtakes in the corners rather than relying on the car’s previous speed on⁣ the straights.

Despite struggling in ‍qualifying and starting 14th on the grid for Sunday’s race, Albon ‍remains optimistic about the car’s potential. He admits that the track in Suzuka is not well-suited to the car’s current​ setup,⁣ prompting the‌ team to search for more speed on the straights.

“We’ve got less wing than ⁣everyone else, which is no secret,” Albon explains. “But we’ve gone‍ for‍ a skinnier wing choice this weekend, which we feel could benefit ​us in the race. We’ve been a bit braver with our setup and hopefully it pays off.”

The team’s decision to go ‍for a skinnier wing has been a calculated risk, ⁢with Albon acknowledging that ​they could have been even skinnier in‌ previous races. But with the car’s development still on track, he⁣ remains hopeful for the future.

During qualifying, Albon had a moment‌ at Spoon corner where he lost control of the ⁢car. However, he managed to keep his foot in it and minimize⁣ the ​time lost. He explains⁤ that the track’s abrasive surface and old-school tarmac make it challenging to find the right balance between speed and tire preservation.

But despite the challenges,​ Albon is encouraged by the team’s recent update package introduced in Japan. He notes that there are⁢ still improvements‍ to be made, but the team is ⁢making progress.

“I was trying​ a different⁣ front wing this weekend,‌ and I think there are some positives to take from it,” Albon says. “We’re still making inroads, and we just need to keep pushing forward.”

With the race still to come, Albon remains hopeful for⁤ a strong finish and is confident in the team’s⁣ ability to continue making improvements. The Williams FW46 may not be where they want it to be yet, ‌but with the team’s determination and hard‌ work, they are ⁣on the right track.