One hundred and eighty-six. That’s the number of thousandths separating the time set by Alex Albon’s Williams during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP from Carlos Sainz’s time during the tests that marked the end of the 2024 F1 season. This figure offers hope to fans of the historic British team as they look ahead to a 2025 season where, according to the Spanish driver, the chances of podiums and victories will be slim.
From the moment his move was announced, Carlos Sainz repeatedly stated his intention to finish his Ferrari stint on a high note, acknowledging the downgrade he will face starting next year.
Despite the continuous improvements since James Vowles became Team Principal, Williams’ 2024 campaign was marked by ups and downs. Frequent incidents during race weekends also compounded the team’s challenges.
Logan Sargeant, Alex Albon, and Franco Colapinto caused significant problems for the mechanics of a team that ended the season ninth in the standings, 13 points ahead of Sauber and nearly 30 points behind the Racing Bulls.
Carlos Sainz off to a strong start
After moving past the emotions of his farewell to Ferrari, Carlos Sainz has shown unwavering determination in his new journey with Williams. He covered over 800 kilometers in Abu Dhabi across filming days and tests, two critical days for familiarizing himself with his new team.
And the 186 thousandths advantage over Albon’s qualifying time is an excellent introduction for a driver who, despite his enthusiasm, had rightfully hoped until the end for a call from a top team.
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