Alex Albon, Williams Racing driver, shared that he tried to avoid the collision with Daniel Ricciardo that ended his Japanese Grand Prix on the first lap. Albon, who started on soft tires, took advantage of Ricciardo’s compromised position in turns 1 and 2 to position himself alongside the Australian as they approached turn 3. Unfortunately, Ricciardo did not notice Albon’s move and forced him off the track, resulting in a slight contact that sent both drivers into the barrier and out of the race. Albon admitted that he tried to back out of the situation when he realized Ricciardo had not seen him, but it was too late to avoid the accident. He expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the team’s difficulties and the impact this incident would have on his performance.
Albon emphasized that he emerged unscathed from the accident but expressed concern about the damage to the car. He noted that the impact with the tire wall was particularly violent, as it was more solidly built than the usual plastic barriers. He stressed that his main concern was not himself, but rather the car, especially considering Williams’ current shortage of parts. The team still needs to assess the extent of the damage and determine if the car is still in good condition.
Albon immediately thought about the car’s condition even before hitting the wall, as he recognized that was the last thing the team needed. He emphasized the importance of thoroughly evaluating the car to address any potential issues.
Williams started the season without a spare chassis, resulting in Logan Sargeant sitting out the last race in Australia after Albon’s accident in FP1.
Meanwhile, Sargeant suffered an accident during the first practice session of this weekend, causing damage to his suspension and gearbox. Albon’s incident is the latest setback for the Williams team.
Albon admitted that the series of accidents and subsequent repairs by the team will hinder his development potential.
“I haven’t spoken to James [Vowles, Williams team principal] since the accident. He was at the pit wall,” clarified Albon.
“But yes, we are aware of the extent of the damage. We are not trying to hide it. However, it requires a significant amount of time and effort to repair, instead of focusing on development and upgrades. This will have consequences later in the season. But for now, we are keeping our heads down and moving forward.”
Sargeant was having a promising race until he went off track at Degner 1 and ended up in the gravel, dropping to the last position.
However, Albon acknowledges that even if he had finished the race, Williams would have struggled to score points due to the lack of speed in their FW46 car.
“At the moment, I don’t believe we have a car that can consistently score points,” he stated. “Maybe at certain tracks that suit our car, but we haven’t found that this year yet. However, China presents a great opportunity. Everyone will be heading to China unprepared and uncertain. That’s where we can take advantage and outperform the others. So, there is a significant opportunity in China.”
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Football star Cristiano Ronaldo has just signed a new contract with Manchester United. The news was announced today, leaving fans excited about the player’s return to the team where he started his career. Ronaldo, 36, has signed a two-year contract with the option to extend for another year.
The signing of Ronaldo is a huge boost for Manchester United, which is aiming to win important titles this season. The player is known for his exceptional skills and his ability to score decisive goals. His experience and leadership will also be valuable for the younger team.
Ronaldo left Manchester United in 2009 to play for Real Madrid, where he had a successful career, winning several titles, including four UEFA Champions Leagues. He also had a stint at Juventus before returning to the English club.
Fans are eager to see Ronaldo back on the field wearing the Manchester United jersey. His presence will surely increase the excitement and confidence of the team. With his signing, the club hopes to compete at the highest level again and achieve great accomplishments.
This is an exciting moment for Manchester United fans and football lovers in general. Ronaldo’s return to the club where he excelled will be a story to be remembered. Everyone is curious to see how he will perform in this new phase of his career.
