During the Spanish Grand Prix qualifiers, tensions ran high between Alex Albon and Oliver Bearman.
- Albon called the Haas team ‘dirty’ for allegedly slowing down on purpose in front of him.
- Albon vented his frustrations over the radio, stating the maneuver cost him a spot in Q3.
- Despite predicting a struggle, Albon felt Williams performed better than expected given circumstances.
- Albon acknowledged Williams’ ongoing issues, noting they are still working to overcome weaknesses.
In the midst of the Spanish Grand Prix qualifiers, Williams driver Alex Albon found himself embroiled in a heated moment with rookie Oliver Bearman over a contentious move. Albon was convinced that Bearman, representing the Haas team, deliberately slowed down in front of him during Q2. This move, according to Albon, disrupted his lap and ultimately cost him a chance in Q3. Over the team radio, Albon didn’t hold back, labeling the Haas team as ‘dirty’ and accusing them of intentionally obstructing his path in the critical third sector.
Reflecting on the incident out of the car, Albon didn’t retract his statement, though he admitted his reaction might have seemed ‘dramatic.’ He emphasized how sensitive the cars are to what he called ‘dirty air,’ underscoring the small margins that define success in such high-stakes environments. Albon was adamant that, if not for this interference, securing a spot in Q3 was within reach.
Despite the heated exchange, Albon took a step back and expressed surprise at Williams’ overall performance, given the challenging setup they had leading into the qualifiers. He remarked on feeling compromised going into this weekend, citing issues such as electronic glitches and the need to rely heavily on his teammate Carlos Sainz during practice sessions. Albon highlighted the use of three tire sets in Q1 as another factor impacting their strategy, suggesting that more could have been achieved under different circumstances.
While acknowledging that Williams encountered several setbacks, including never being eliminated in Q1 at this track before, Albon was encouraged by the small victories they did achieve. Ultimately, these issues exposed some of the team’s underlying weaknesses, particularly those suited to the Barcelona circuit, which they are working to address moving forward.
Alex Albon’s determination remains unswayed as he continues to focus on improvement despite recent challenges.
