Monaco Grand Prix leaves Sainz and Albon frustrated by strategic blocking, highlighting ongoing concerns about race manipulation in Formula 1.
Williams F1, like Racing Bulls in particular, was among the teams that used one of their drivers to slow down the field at a certain point during this Monaco Grand Prix.
Through this team tactic, the squad managed first to protect Alex Albon’s points (ninth place), and then, in a reversed scenario, Carlos Sainz benefited from Albon’s help to finish tenth.
Three points were scored, but the drivers are not entirely satisfied from a sporting perspective.
“I know we gave everyone a disappointing show and annoyed a few drivers behind us,” said Albon.
“We just took advantage of the track and the size of the cars. The two pit stops forced us to do it twice instead of once.”
“My apologies to everyone who watched, because it was not very good. We didn’t want to do it and we didn’t intend to.”
For Carlos Sainz, “it is clearly something I do not like doing and do not like seeing. Unfortunately, Lawson did it to us first, which we did not expect. It sent us into panic and the only solution we found was to do the same to the rest of the field.”
“I am a bit disappointed with the race and the weekend. It shows that the switch to two pit stops is not relevant in Monaco and that some will continue doing what we did today. They will keep manipulating the final result through their driving.”
“Either we find a solution to stop manipulating the race pace like we did today or this will always be the way it is.”
“I do not know about the front, but in the midfield it backfired on us. I am glad everyone is trying. We tried, but for me, it did not work.”
“This is not the way I like to race, nor the way I dream of racing in Monaco.”
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