The FIA has initiated an investigation into Williams following a dramatic incident during the qualifying session for the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The incident, which occurred when Williams driver Alex Albon left the garage with an airbox intake fan still attached to his car, marred the Thai driver’s Qualifying session. Both of Williams’ cars made it to Q3 for the first time this season, putting them in contention for their highest grid positions in 2024. However, the unexpected sight of an airbox fan on Albon’s car brought their promising run to an abrupt halt.
With just three minutes left, the Williams driver exited the pit lane with the fan still attached, a risky oversight that forced him to stop at the exit. Albon managed to detach the fan and throw the fan to the in an effort to continue with the session, however, he ran out of time for another flying lap, leaving him disappointed at 10th place on the grid.
This chaotic moment not only disrupted Albon’s session but also instigated an immediate response from race control. They labeled the incident as a potential unsafe release, confirming that a thorough investigation would follow.
Alexander Albon of Thailand driving the (23) Williams FW46 Mercedes on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on September 14, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Williams is under investigation after a pit release blunder in Baku.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Albon, along with a team representative, have been summoned to the Stewards at 17:45 local time. The official summons letter from the FIA states:
“Alleged breach of Articles 34.14 c) of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations and 12.2.1 h) of the International Sporting Code – Potential release of Car 23 in an unsafe condition at 16:58 and the discard of the cooling equipment.”
Qualifying saw Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secure pole position, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz in second and third. respectively. Interestingly, the Red Bull’s of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen will be starting in fourth and sixth position, respectively, despite Baku being one of the Mexican driver’s most successful circuits.
Leclerc shared during a post-Qualifying interview, as quoted by Formula 1.com:
“The pace was always there and then in qualifying and Q3 it was all about trying to stay as far as possible off the walls.
“In that last lap I went for it a bit more and the lap time came very nicely. The car felt really good and everything felt great so it’s amazing to be on pole.”
2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Qualifying Results
(Not including Zhou Guanyu’s 20-place grid penalty)
1. Charles Leclerc
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Carlos Sainz
4. Sergio Perez
5. George Russell
6. Max Verstappen
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Fernando Alonso
9. Franco Colapinto
10. Alex Albon
11. Oliver Bearman
12. Yuki Tsunoda
13. Pierre Gasly
14. Nico Hulkenberg
15. Lance Stroll
16. Daniel Ricciardo
17. Lando Norris
18. Valtteri Bottas
19. Zhou Guanyu
20. Esteban Ocon
