At Monza Williams performs like a top team in the Italian GP: the frontrunners need to watch their backs
After Charles Leclerc and Ferrari’s unexpected success last season, the Monza circuit could easily be renamed the “temple of miracles.” This year, the surprise might come from Williams, who delivered a very convincing Friday, both on single-lap pace and on long runs.
Carlos Sainz looked particularly comfortable behind the wheel, finishing third in qualifying simulation, just 96 thousandths away from the fastest driver of the day, Lando Norris, with a time of 1:19.974. Supporting the idea that the Grove-based team thrives on high-speed circuits was Alexander Albon’s strong showing, finishing seventh and only a little over two tenths slower than his teammate.
When two clues make a proof…
Williams arrived at Monza with an intermediate downforce setup — not as extreme as Ferrari and McLaren, but closer to Red Bull’s approach. This balance allowed the British car to showcase its aerodynamic efficiency. Telemetry highlighted how Sainz managed to exploit it fully, even gaining a tenth over the McLaren MCL39 as he approached the Parabolica.
And it is not only about time attacks. The idea that James Vowles’ squad could also challenge the leading group in race conditions is not unrealistic. Data from Sainz’s 10-lap stint on C4 tyres looked very promising, with average lap times in the high 1:23s. The Spaniard repeatedly matched Oscar Piastri’s pace across the stint, suggesting competitive long-run performance.
However, one cannot overlook the fact that Williams traditionally runs with a more aggressive engine mode on Fridays compared to rivals. This might prevent the team from making a further step forward when it matters most. Even so, with a smaller margin of improvement than others, Sainz and Williams still look set for a very strong performance during the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
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