The FIA has confirmed a penalty against the Williams team for an unsafe release involving Alex Albon during the third practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The incident occurred when Albon was released from the pits into the path of Esteban Ocon’s Haas car at Yas Marina on Saturday. As a consequence, Williams was fined €5,000.
Details of the Unsafe Release Incident
This breach follows a similar occurrence during the previous race, the Qatar Grand Prix, where no penalty was imposed on Williams. However, in Abu Dhabi, the stewards ruled against the team after determining that Ocon had to brake almost to a stop to avoid a collision. The stewards’ report included testimony from both drivers, team representatives, and video evidence.
Stewards’ Findings
- Driver of Car 23: Alexander Albon
- Driver of Car 31: Esteban Ocon
- Decision: Williams penalized for unsafe release
- Fine imposed: €5,000
The stewards stated that the unsafe release was a critical factor in this case, contributing to the decision to issue a fine against Williams.
Qualifying Rounds and Team Performance
In qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Albon secured the 17th position, while Ocon qualified 8th. Ocon outperformed his rookie teammate, Oliver Bearman, for the second time in three races. This situation reflects the ongoing challenges faced by Williams as they strive to improve their performance.
Additional Penalties in Abu Dhabi
Saturday proved to be a busy day for the FIA stewards, who imposed several penalties on teams and drivers. Notably:
- Aston Martin faced a €25,000 fine, with €15,000 suspended, for failing to attend a fan event.
- Red Bull received a €10,000 fine due to an incident involving driver Yuki Tsunoda and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
- Mercedes was also fined €10,000 after a pit lane incident involving Tsunoda and driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
As the season draws to a close, these incidents highlight the importance of safety and adherence to regulations in Formula 1.
