What if Williams fails to qualify?

George Russell and Robert Kubica flirt with the limit of 107% of the best time after Friday's free practice in Melbourne (Australia). The Pole also explains that he must avoid the curbs in order not to damage his Williams.

Published on 15/03/2019 à 16:12

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No, you're not dreaming : Williams, a team with nine Manufacturers' titles, seven Drivers' titles and 114 victories in Formula 1, monopolizes the end of the ranking after free practice on Friday March 15 in Melbourne (Australia). Worse still, the British single-seaters are under threat of non-qualification!

The times of rookie George Russell and returning Robert Kubica in Free Practice 2 were respectively 1'26''453 and 1'26''655, i.e. 3''8 and 4'' slower than the leader's mark Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). This represents 104,7% and 104,9% time achieved by the outgoing champion. Gold, the limit for including a competitor in the qualifying results is 107%.

« I drove the car, I didn't have my calculator with me. I have doubts (about non-qualification. Ed.), George Russell tried to justify himself. Obviously, it wasn't the best day. We are well ahead of ourselves. »

Solid day today. We've got a lot of work to do but we're making progress every session. Let's keep pushing! pic.twitter.com/11m7hhXDlG

- George Russell (@ GeorgeRussell63) March 15, 2019

His teammate Robert Kubica reveals for his part that he received the order to “stay away from vibrators” in order to spare his mount. Indeed, spare parts are not numerous in the Williams garage!

“It's a good feeling to come back to F1, but this feeling is dampened by the difficulties we face. There were a lot of compromises with the damage we suffered on the cars in FP2, explains the Pole.

We attempted to repair the items, but unfortunately we don't have many parts in stock. We need to do the most we can with what we have. The car is difficult to handle », launches the former BMW Sauber driver and Renault.

Back to it for # RK88 with just over half the session remaining #AusGP pic.twitter.com/k6ApW0MDg2

- ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) March 15, 2019

In the event of non-qualification on Saturday March 16, Williams would be the first team to suffer such an affront since HRT as part of the 2012 Australian Grand Prix. The session will be followed on CARhebdo.fr with live text from 7 a.m. French time.