The FIA has launched an investigation into Williams following a chaotic incident during the qualifying session for the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The drama unfolded when Williams driver Alex Albon drove out of the garage with an airbox intake fan still attached to his car, disrupting an otherwise promising qualifying performance.
For the first time this season, both of Williams’ cars advanced to Q3, setting them up for a potentially stellar grid position. However, just three minutes before the end of the session, Albon’s oversight forced him to stop and remove the fan at the pit exit. Despite his attempt to continue racing, he ran out of time and ended up qualifying in 10th place, leaving him understandably frustrated.
This situation prompted a swift reaction from race control, which deemed the release of Albon as possibly unsafe. Consequently, the FIA confirmed that an investigation would take place.
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Albon and a team representative are scheduled to meet with the Stewards at 17:45 local time. The FIA’s official summons highlights a potential breach of regulations regarding the unsafe release of a car.
In qualifying, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed pole position, followed closely by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz in second and third. Notably, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen will start in fourth and sixth, respectively, which is surprising given Perez’s previous successes in Baku.
Leclerc expressed his thoughts post-qualifying, stating, as quoted by Formula 1.com: “The pace was always there, and in Q3, it was all about staying away from the walls. I pushed a little harder on my last lap, and it paid off.”
2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying Results
(Excluding Zhou Guanyu’s 20-place grid penalty)
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Sergio Perez
5. George Russell
6. Max Verstappen
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Franco Colapinto
10. Alex Albon
11. Oliver Bearman
12. Yuki Tsunoda
13. Pierre Gasly
14. Nico Hulkenberg
15. Lance Stroll
16. Daniel Ricciardo
17. Lando Norris
18. Valtteri Bottas
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Esteban Ocon