Strong pace and unusual drama mark Williams’ opening day at Suzuka, with Sainz and Albon showing promise amid grass fires and red flags.
Williams F1 kicked off the Japanese Grand Prix weekend with a promising display of consistency and pace, placing inside the top 10 during both Free Practice 1 and 2 at the iconic Suzuka Circuit.
The FW47 looked well-balanced on track, with both drivers showing competitive speed. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon finished 10th and 11th in both sessions, with Sainz just edging out his teammate each time.
For Sainz, this weekend marks an important chance to bounce back after a frustrating start to his 2025 campaign with the British outfit.
“It was an eventful Friday here in Suzuka,” Sainz explained. “In FP1 we tested a few new parts and had some productive runs. FP2, however, was quite disrupted, so it was tough to get a real read on the changes we wanted to explore. Still, we seem to be heading in the right direction.”
“Tomorrow’s FP3 will be intense. There’s a lot left to try, and with the wind expected to shift, the car might feel quite different from today. I just hope Jack Doohan is okay after his crash and can be back on track tomorrow.”
Albon Cool as Grass Burns
Meanwhile, Albon brought some levity to the day, joking about the unusual sight of grass fires interrupting the session—not once, but twice.
“I think we need sprinklers out there!” he laughed. “Two red flags because the grass caught fire—funny, but honestly a bit frustrating.”
Despite the interruptions, Albon remains optimistic about the team’s chances heading into the weekend.
“We weren’t quite as fast as we wanted to be, but the session was stop-start all day. We know where the car needs work, and we’ll fine-tune things overnight. I feel good in the car, I’m confident, and I think we’ve got a real shot at points on Sunday.”
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Solid Suzuka Start for Williams with Sainz Leading Albon
Solid Suzuka Start for Williams with Sainz Leading Albon