Box of Alexander Albon from Williams Racing closed during the second practice session.
Formula 1 World Championship, 3rd stage, Australian Grand Prix, Friday, March 22, 2024. Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia.
Alexander Albon’s box from Williams Racing was closed during the second practice session as he did not participate. This happened during the Australian Grand Prix on March 22, 2024, at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia.
Due to Alex Albon’s accident during practice on Friday, Williams will once again be without a reserve car at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix. Albon went off track during the opening session in Australia, causing irreparable damage to his car. The team, led by James Vowles, underwent significant changes behind the scenes, resulting in a delay in the construction of the Williams FW46 car. As a result, they did not have a reserve car available for the early races of the season.
In response to the situation, Williams decided to withdraw Logan Sargeant for the remainder of the weekend and have Albon compete in the only available car. The damaged chassis will be sent back to the Williams factory in Grove and is expected to arrive on Monday, allowing for repairs to be made. However, this resource change means the team will have to focus on repairing the damaged chassis instead of preparing the reserve car.
As a result, Williams will once again be without a reserve car for the upcoming race in Japan. James Vowles explained the extent of the damage, stating that the gearbox was cracked in half, the engine mounts were completely bent, and the engine itself is fundamentally damaged. The right front corner of the chassis, where the suspension is located, is shattered, allowing even a finger to be inserted into it.
Vowles expressed confidence that Williams will be able to fix the chassis in time for the race in Suzuka. However, he emphasized the need for a thorough inspection once the chassis is back in the UK, as they have only seen photos and conducted non-destructive tests so far. Although he cannot provide a definitive guarantee, Vowles believes there is a very high probability that everything will be resolved and the car will be up and running.
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