F1 Star Avoids FIA Penalty with Clever T...read more

Alex Albon Dodges Future FIA Penalty with Smart Strategy at Spanish Grand Prix

Alex Albon and his Williams team pulled off a clever maneuver during the Spanish Grand Prix to avoid a lingering FIA penalty that could have impacted the upcoming race in Canada.

The Thai-British driver started the race in 11th but quickly ran into trouble. Contact on the opening lap caused damage to his front wing, forcing an early pit stop that dropped him to the back of the pack. Despite the setback, Albon managed to fight his way back up the order and was closing in on another points finish.

A heated duel with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson for 11th place became the turning point. On one lap, Albon went off-track and rejoined ahead of Lawson, even though the New Zealander had the position going into the corner. Lawson voiced his frustration over team radio, insisting Albon should give the place back. The fight continued, with more contact the following lap that further damaged Albon’s car.

Ultimately, Williams decided to retire the car after a frustrating afternoon. But just as Albon was heading to the pits, FIA stewards announced a 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Had the car been retired without serving the penalty, it would have carried over to the Canadian Grand Prix in the form of a likely grid drop.

To avoid that, Williams made a smart move. They instructed Albon to pit and serve the penalty first, then complete one more lap before retiring the car. By doing this, the team ensured the penalty was fulfilled within the Spanish Grand Prix, allowing Albon to start fresh in Montreal on June 13.

With the penalty now behind him, Albon can focus on delivering a stronger performance in Canada. Meanwhile, teammate Carlos Sainz was left as the only Williams driver to finish the race in Barcelona.