Sainz Pinpoints Qualifying Flaw Hurting Williams' Race Pace

Carlos Sainz's single point in Singapore might seem modest, but his charge from the back of the grid underscored Williams' strong race pace and a persistent qualifying issue. Despite a penalty for a non-compliant rear wing, Sainz delivered a brilliant recovery drive, hinting at the FW47's underlying potential, if only the team can unlock better single-lap performance.

Why it matters:

Williams' struggle in qualifying, often masked by strong race-day performances, is a critical hurdle for the team to consistently challenge for points. Resolving this issue would allow them to capitalize on their car's inherent strengths, moving them from occasional points scorers to regular midfield contenders.

The Details:

• Penalty Impact: Both Sainz and Alex Albon received grid demotions in Singapore due to a non-compliant rear wing, dropping Sainz from 13th to 18th and Albon to the pitlane.
• Sainz's Recovery: Despite starting 18th, Sainz executed a lengthy 50-lap stint on medium tires, battling through the field and securing 10th place after a late switch to softs. This earned a crucial point that was unexpected given his starting position.
• Race Pace vs. Qualifying Woes: Sainz noted the FW47's impressive race pace, suggesting a potential P7 or P8 finish if not for the qualifying setbacks. He believes the qualifying weakness is inherent to the car's design, rather than just tire warm-up issues.
  • "My feeling after a few races, and the more I understand the car, is that it's a weakness of the car, also not a weakness of switching on and off the tyre," Sainz explained.
  • This suggests a complex trade-off where the characteristics making the car strong in races might hinder its single-lap potential.
• Team Development: Sainz acknowledged the team is still in a "building year," making mistakes like the rear-wing compliance issue and Albon's FP1 brake problem. He emphasized learning from these errors without repeating them.

What's next:

Williams' focus will be on understanding and addressing the FW47's qualifying Achilles' heel. If they can find a solution that doesn't compromise their strong race pace, the team, combined with Sainz's skill, could become a more formidable and consistent threat in the midfield. Their ability to learn from mistakes and refine the car's performance will be key to their progression.