Breaking: Williams to miss the Las Vegas Grand Prix following…read more
Williams to miss the Las Vegas Grand Prix following…read more
Williams Racing is facing significant challenges this Formula One season, particularly after back-to-back setbacks in Mexico and Brazil. Now, the team is expected to miss the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking another blow in an already difficult year.
At the recent Sao Paulo Grand Prix, unforeseen events added to the chaos. The qualifying session was delayed from Saturday, taking an unusual early Sunday morning slot due to unpredictable weather conditions. A rainstorm was forecasted for race day, leading F1 officials to shorten the mandated four-hour window between qualifying and the race to just two and a half hours. This compressed schedule left Williams Racing scrambling. Alex Albon, one of Williams’ top drivers, suffered a crash during qualifying, which caused extensive damage to his car. Due to the time constraints, Williams couldn’t fully rebuild Albon’s car before the race, sidelining the driver and missing a crucial opportunity to earn points.
This change in F1 scheduling was unprecedented in the modern era, especially considering how strictly Formula One adheres to broadcast schedules. TV rights contribute about 25% of F1’s revenue, making any adjustment highly unusual. Yet, this last-minute alteration shows the sport’s adaptability to extreme conditions, though it unfortunately worked against teams like Williams.
For Williams, Brazil turned into a weekend to forget, especially with Alpine making a comeback right when Williams could least afford it. Alpine, one of Williams’ fiercest competitors, has had a challenging season but saw an unexpected revival in Sao Paulo. Pierre Gasly scored two points in the Sprint race, setting the stage for a stronger main event. Then, when the rain poured on Sunday, the team pulled off a performance no one anticipated. Esteban Ocon and Gasly made an impressive leap, finishing in second and third places, respectively. This stunning outcome brought Alpine a massive 35 points over the weekend, a remarkable achievement considering they had accumulated only 14 points across the previous 20 race weekends combined.
This surge in points gives Alpine a considerable advantage in the Constructors’ Championship standings, putting Williams in an even tougher position as they head into the final rounds of the season. With the Las Vegas Grand Prix approaching, it remains to be seen if Williams can recover from these setbacks. Their struggles underscore the unpredictability and drama that have defined the 2024 F1 season, leaving fans eager to see what unfolds next on the track.
About The Author
