Williams executed a clever DRS strategy in Jeddah, allowing both drivers to finish in the points after a tough season start.
Williams F1 pulled off a clever strategy at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, using a DRS train to lock in a double points finish. Carlos Sainz crossed the line in 8th, followed closely by teammate Alex Albon in 9th—marking a much-needed boost for the team after a rocky start to the season.
Starting from sixth on the grid, Sainz delivered a strong and tactical race, helping Williams reclaim fifth in the Constructors’ Championship. Despite a slightly compromised pit stop, he managed to push hard at the end, setting a fast final lap to showcase the team’s true pace.
“We had a really solid race today,” Sainz said. “Helping Alex get back into the points was a team effort, and even with a tricky pit stop, I managed to finish strong. It’s a step in the right direction.”
The Spaniard admitted the transition to Williams hasn’t been easy but remains confident in his approach: “This season was always going to be tough at the start. It’s the nature of switching teams—you have to take it step by step. There might be setbacks, but I believe in the path I’m on.”
Albon echoed the team-focused mindset, revealing that Williams had intentionally formed a DRS train to protect both drivers from being overtaken.
“We had solid pace, but we chose to play it smart and stick together,” Albon explained. “The strategy was to run close with Carlos and create a DRS train. It worked—we kept our position and stayed in the points.”
Originally, the plan involved running the strategy with Pierre (Gasly), who showed strong pace, but a late change saw rookie Isack Hadjar stepping in. “Isack filled in and did a good job, so we’re happy with how it played out,” Albon added.
With Yuki Tsunoda crashing out late in the race, Albon’s ninth place became the maximum achievable. “Realistically, we were aiming for tenth, but we capitalized when the opportunity came. After a tough qualifying, the team bounced back really well.”
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Williams F1 Masterminds DRS Train to Score Double Points Finish in Jeddah Williams F1 Masterminds DRS Train to Score Double Points Finish in Jeddah
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