FIA confirm F1 star's shock DISQUALIFICATION ahead of Dutch Grand Prix

FIA Flag, Generic, Social — Photo: © IMAGO

Dutch Grand Prix Qualifying

FIA confirm F1 star's shock DISQUALIFICATION ahead of Dutch Grand Prix

An F1 star could be disqualified from qualifying

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 25 August 2024 11:10

Williams star Alex Albon has been disqualified from qualifying at the Dutch Grand Prix sending him to the back of the grid for Sunday's race.

Saturday proved to be a miserable day for the British team, with US F1 star Logan Sargeant involved in a huge crash in FP3, and now Albon having his participation in qualifying erased.

Sargeant did not even participate in the session after his Williams burst into flames as it crashed during a wet practice session, with the team unable to repair the car in time for qualifying.

Article continues under video

Thankfully the American star jumped out of the car uninjured, but it was a significant blow to the team who are running new upgrades this weekend.

Logan Sargeant suffered a terrifying crash in FP3

It has been a nightmare weekend for Williams boss James Vowles

Why was Alex Albon disqualified from Dutch GP qualifying?

His team-mate was summoned to the stewards after qualifying due to a legality issue with his Williams.

The report from the FIA technical delegate stated that after a check on the car 'the floor body was found to lie outside the regulatory volume'.

The stewards investigated the legality of the Williams and have disqualified the Thai-British driver having found that the floor body of his car was found 'to lie outside the regulatory volume mentioned in Article 3.5.1 a) of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations'.

According to the stewards' report, Williams 'did not dispute the calibration of the FIA measuring system and the measurement of the car, but stated that their own measurements have produced different results.'

Alex Albon will start the Dutch GP at the back of the grid

However, with the verdict announced, the team said: "We are incredibly disappointed with this outcome and will be carrying out a thorough investigation and will provide an update soon."

In conclusion, the stewards' findings stated: "The Stewards determine that the result of the measurement conducted with the FIA system in Parc Ferme is the relevant one and the due process prescribed by the regulations has been followed. Therefore the standard penalty for such an infringement is applied."

Zandvoort marked Williams' first major aero performance upgrade, with a brand new floor among the changes.

Albon enjoyed a terrific qualifying session where set the eighth fastest time, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz who were knocked out in Q2.

However, his efforts were ultimately futile as he will be demoted to last place, bumping each driver originally behind him up by one.

FIA Williams Alex Albon Logan Sargeant Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort