Williams will present well with two cars at Suzuka, says Vowles

This is the question that remained on everyone's lips on the evening of the Australian Grand Prix: will Williams will there be two single-seaters at the start of Free Practice 1, at Suzuka, on April 5? Following Alexander Albon's accident during FP1 in Melbourne, the Thai's chassis could not be repaired on site, which forced the British team to “sacrifice” Logan Sargeant due to lack of replacement chassis.

A production delay which left great concern over the presence of a second car for the Japanese Grand Prix... However, optimism is in order in the English clan. In a video published on their site, Williams – through its principal director, James Vowles – was keen to reassure on the timelines for rebuilding the damaged chassis.

“I'm confident we can repair the chassis, assures the British leader. We have put measures in place to make sure the chassis is back [to Grove] as quickly as possible, starting Monday morning. It arrived here around 2 a.m., and since then, all the teams at the factory have been working on it to dismantle and repair it. Just an update [this Thursday]: we are on schedule to have the chassis ready early enough for Suzuka. »

A chassis update and more from James in the latest episode of the @krakenfx Vowles Verdict…🗣️

Full video 📺👇

- Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) March 27, 2024

No replacement chassis at Suzuka for Williams?

James Vowles specified that the team had well started the work of rebuilding the chassis, with total dedication from the British team to be able to field two FW46s next Friday at Suzuka.

“A lot of work has been done since we returned from Melbourne, he explained. There were photographs and techniques called NDT, for 'Non-Destructive Testing' (non-destructive testing in French), which allow us to fully understand the extent of the damage and what we have to do. Preparation was essential: work could begin at 2 a.m. on Monday. (…) At Suzuka, we will have two cars without too much problem. »

Williams' Team Principal, however, has not indicated whether a replacement chassis will also be available in Japan to avoid the same dilemma that presented itself in Melbourne. However, it seems difficult – if not impossible – that the English team could also bring one to Suzuka as efforts are currently focused on repairing the second chassis…

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