Williams' Strong Monza Friday: Sainz and Albon Impressed by Pace

Why it matters: Williams, a team often battling in the midfield, delivered one of the standout performances on Friday at the Italian Grand Prix, suggesting a strong potential for points.

The big picture:

• Carlos Sainz finished an impressive third fastest in both FP1 and FP2.
• Alex Albon backed this up with seventh in both sessions, placing Williams as 'best of the rest' behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Max Verstappen's Red Bull.
• This performance marks a significant statement for a team that has often struggled for consistent pace this season.

Sainz: "The pace is there"

Despite some lingering discomfort with Pirelli's soft compound tyres, Carlos Sainz was encouraged by the team's speed.

• "The pace is there, we were quick," Sainz stated, noting good performance on both long and short runs.
• He acknowledged a need to improve comfort in a couple of corners and with the soft tyre, but remained optimistic for more to come.
• Sainz was just 0.096s behind Lando Norris in FP2, highlighting Williams' competitiveness in Monza's low-drag setup.

Albon: "Can we make it repetitive?"

Alex Albon was also pleased but emphasized the importance of consistent execution throughout the weekend.

• He stressed the need to replicate Friday's car performance for qualifying and the race.
• Albon noted that getting the tyres into the right operating window will be a tricky but crucial aspect.
• The goal is "good points for sure," with the team consistently targeting the top of the midfield.

What's next:

While challenging McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull for pole position might be a stretch, Friday's showing indicates that both Sainz and Albon are well-positioned to be in the thick of the points battle on Sunday. This would be a welcome boost for the Grove-based outfit at one of F1’s most iconic venues.