Alex Albon: 'Plays Under Own Rules' Amidst Overtaking Rule Confusion, Talks Expected at Monza

Alex Albon 'Plays Under Own Rules' Amidst Overtaking Rule Confusion

Why it matters: Williams driver Alex Albon admits he follows "his own rules" when battling on track, highlighting widespread confusion among F1 drivers regarding the sport's overtaking regulations. This comes as a crucial drivers' briefing is anticipated at the Italian Grand Prix to address recent controversies.

The big picture: The call for clarity follows the contentious 10-second penalty issued to Carlos Sainz at the Dutch GP. Sainz was penalized for contact with Liam Lawson's Racing Bulls car during a Safety Car restart, a decision Sainz labelled "ridiculous." Albon, who finished P5 in the same race, sided with Sainz, suggesting Lawson was at fault.

The details:

• Albon stated he isn't clear on what is allowed or not during wheel-to-wheel racing, choosing to rely on his own sense of "fair overtake" or "fair defence."
• He believes the "water's murky" in terms of understanding the official racing guidelines, despite the FIA's openness to discussion.
• Past incidents, like one in Barcelona where Albon received a penalty for leaving the track to avoid a collision, have solidified his view that the inside driver often holds too much power under the current rulebook.
• Albon pointed out, "It feels like the inside driver just has far too much power in the rulebook and he’s almost completely in control of his destiny, whereas the outside driver just needs to comply."
• He anticipates a "long one" for the drivers' briefing at Monza, expecting the Sainz/Lawson incident to be a major topic.

What's next: Drivers are set to engage in extensive discussions with the FIA at Monza to seek clarification on the often-inconsistent application of racing rules. This dialogue is crucial for ensuring fair and predictable racing going forward.