Williams Racing’s team principal James Vowles has publicly apologized to Carlos Sainz following a problematic pitstop during the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, which contributed to Sainz finishing 18th. This incident contrasted with his teammate Alex Albon’s strong performance, as Albon secured a sixth-place finish and scored eight points for the Grove-based team.
Strong Sprint Race and Mixed Results in the Main Event
Earlier in the weekend, Sainz showed promising pace by finishing sixth in the sprint race, earning three points. Vowles praised the weekend overall, highlighting the team’s positive moments despite challenges during the main race under difficult conditions. Albon delivered a near-perfect drive, combining solid strategy and flawless execution in the pitstop, enabling him to defend his position against rivals like Lewis Hamilton throughout the race.
Pitstop and Strategy Decisions Under Scrutiny for Sainz’s Race Outcome
Vowles explained the strategic gamble made for Sainz’s car on race day, where the team opted to fit a larger rear wing based on the expectation of prolonged wet conditions. Unfortunately, the weather conditions only required use of intermediate tires for about 10 laps before drying, and the altered setup made the car slower in those better conditions. While the decision was considered sensible at the time to maximize learning and provide opportunities for Sainz later in the race, the poor pitstop further compromised his performance.
“His pitstop was poor, and for that, I apologise. We will tidy that up and make sure that as we progress across the season, we operate at the highest level possible,”
Vowles stated during a debrief video review.
Williams’ Positive Outlook Despite Setbacks
Reflecting on the weekend, Vowles expressed optimism about the team’s progress and car performance, which he believes has improved and become competitive again within the midfield pack. With Williams currently fifth in the constructors‘ championship, holding a 27-point cushion over Sauber, the team remains confident heading into the upcoming events.
“Going forward though, what I’m encouraged by is this package is working. It was a strong weekend. You can see the car performance has actually bounced back again. Still a tight midfield, but I’m looking forward to these next races where we’ll also deliver,”
Vowles said.
Next Race: Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest
After Belgium, Formula 1 moves to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix scheduled from August 1st to 3rd. Williams aims to build on their recent gains and continue improving both reliability and race performance to capitalize on their current season momentum.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Carlos Sainz have 55?
A. Throughout his career, the number 55 has become strongly associated with the Spanish racer. This number is important to him both professionally and personally. Sainz chose this number because it cleverly includes his name: Carlo5 5ainz.