Albon to miss Sao Paulo GP after hefty Qualifying crash

Albon, who reached Q3 and held second position on the timesheets, lost control of his Williams FW46 at the first corner and collided heavily with the barriers, impacting all four corners of the car.

After a thorough assessment, Williams confirmed the extent of the damage exceeded what could be fixed in the limited time available between qualifying and the race. Team Principal James Vowles described the situation as disappointing, emphasizing the efforts that went into trying to salvage the car.

Williams released the following statement: “In Qualifying earlier this morning, ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Williams Racing sustained significant accident damage to both cars following incidents in the inclement weather conditions

"Unfortunately, after assessing the extensive damage sustained to Alex Albon’s car, the required repairs could not be completed in the short window of time between Qualifying and the Race. The team is therefore forced to withdraw Alex’s car for the remainder of the Grand Prix.”

Vowles spoke candidly about the setback: “It’s a heartbreaking day for the team. We’re here to go racing, and nobody wants to be in this situation.”

Albon’s crash came after he demonstrated strong performance in the damp qualifying session. He progressed steadily and looked set for a competitive start when the accident occurred. Williams clarified that although Albon was unharmed, the impact on his car was severe enough to rule out a return.

Williams will now be represented solely by rookie Franco Colapinto, who is set to compete in a repaired FW46 following his own crash in the same qualifying session.

Colapinto’s incident was also attributed to challenging weather conditions that affected multiple drivers throughout the session. He, too, was unharmed, but both cars required extensive repairs.

“The most important point is that all the drivers who had incidents in Qualifying are okay, including Alex and Franco. Despite the best efforts of our hard-working, talented, and resilient team, there simply was not enough time to repair Alex’s car in time for the Grand Prix,” Vowles added.

Reflecting on the triple-header that culminated in Brazil, Vowles acknowledged the team’s disappointment but expressed appreciation for the fans. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow at the end of a tough triple-header, especially when both drivers showed tremendous pace this morning. We will focus on maximising this afternoon with Franco and putting on a show for the incredible fans here in Brazil.”

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix, featuring 71 laps at the Interlagos circuit, will proceed with Colapinto as Williams’ sole representative, marking a challenging race day for the team,