Worst start to season for Williams since 2011

Williams did not see the light of day in Melbourne (Australia) for the first event of the 2019 season of Formula 1. The British team has constantly brought up the rear, whether in free practice, in qualifying or during the Grand Prix. 

It is therefore no surprise to see George Russell and Robert Kubica finish the race in 16th and 17th place. The Pole, for his part, experienced a real ordeal, initially with two touches during timed practice sessions.

A kiss for the wall and a puncture for Robert Kubica at the end of Q1 on Saturday #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/58GFDQvB18

- Formula 1 (@ F1) March 16, 2019

Robert Kubica hasn't raced at Albert Park since 2010…

And the pit lane seemed a little narrower than he remembered in FP3 #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/4Kpy5jfJPd

- Formula 1 (@ F1) March 16, 2019

Then the former BMW Sauber driver and Renault clung to it Red Bull de Pierre Gasly at the start of the GP. “At the exit of the first corner, we touched, my front wing was damaged and I had to return to the pits, comments Robert Kubica. 

Things went from bad to worse asone of the mirrors failed on the third lap! It's not easy to see the arrival of the leaders in these conditions. “The blue flags were not easy to see. » Because yes, Robert Kubica finished three laps behind winner Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), a hole ! George Russell barely did better, conceding “only” two loops to the Finn. 

“It’s disappointing to be so far behind,” admits the outgoing champion of Formula 2. I'm not interested in fighting with Robert for last place, we have to work together to get it right. However, I am happy to have escaped without physical problems. »

Williams has never suffered such an affront at the start of an F1 campaign since 2011, when Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado retired with transmission problems. 

Find the analysis of the Australian GP carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2208 of AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands.