Albon reveals bizarre Spanish GP struggle

Williams

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Albon reveals bizarre Spanish GP struggle

Albon finished last of the classified runners in Spain but "couldn’t drive slow enough"

Sam Hall

Wednesday 25 May 2022 14:55

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Alex Albon has revealed he "couldn't drive slowly enough" to make his tyres last in the sweltering Spanish Grand Prix.

The Williams driver was 18th and last of the classified finishers in Barcelona but was also the only driver to stop four times during the race.

This obscure strategy was necessitated by ambient temperatures of over 37C that destroyed his Pirelli tyres with Albon unable to retain life in the rubber.

“It was different - I couldn’t drive slow enough," explained Albon.

"It was like I was driving as slow as I could and the tyres were still going off and not just a little bit.

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“I was driving my first few laps two-and-a-half to three seconds slower than I would do normally and they [the tyres] were still degrading massively.

“I was losing a second straightaway after the first lap so it was a bit strange and as I said, it’s not normal.

“The deg was high and we expected that but it was a bit strange.”

Albon - Six stops could have been quicker

Of the 18 finishers, 13 drivers were able to reach the flag by stopping three times with the remainder, excluding Albon, pitting just twice.

"It was feeling a little bit strange on the laps to the grid," continued Albon. "I was already getting tyre deg and I think it was the same in the race.

“We did a four-stop but I could have done a five or six stop and it would’ve potentially been a bit quicker.

“It was incredible degradation. I think I was 20kmph slower than everyone else in turn three and turn nine, just struggling out there.

“We’re not normally that bad. I think something we just need to check because I don’t think – that wasn’t normal.

“So we’ll have a look and hopefully bounce back for Monaco.”