“We think the problem is related to the battery,” says Williams Formula 1 driver Alexander Albon about the defect that slowed him down during the second training session for the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. Albon was only able to complete five laps there.
The former Red Bull driver reports: “I started my lap and it felt okay. But during the straight I lost deployment [des ERS]. I think we already know what the problem is, so it shouldn’t take that long to fix it.”
Nevertheless, the defect is annoying because it is particularly important on stretches of Singapore kilometers to build up the necessary self-confidence. Without a representative lap time, Albon finished the second training session in 20th and last place.
“A difficult day for us, especially on Alex’s side,” emphasizes Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance, and reveals that Albon completed some tests in the first training session and that they actually wanted to use FT2 for race preparation.
“Unfortunately, an issue with the power unit’s ERS meant we had to end his FT2 after just a few laps on the hard tyre,” said Robson. Albon therefore explains that after essentially missing out on FT2, you now have to “guess a bit” when setting up.
“But it should be fine for FT3,” he hopes and emphasizes: “Apart from the problem, the car didn’t feel that bad.” Robson reveals that after the defect they will now install “another module” and want to make up for the lost time as best as possible in FT3.
Why Logan Sargeant only came second to last
Incidentally, Albon had previously finished FT1 in P13, but his teammate Logan Sargeant came last. The rookie is driving in Singapore for the first time and in the second training session he only finished 19th and therefore second to last, ahead of Albon.
“Logan had a more successful day and was able to complete his plan without any problems,” emphasizes Robson and explains that the American has gained “experience” with a lot and little fuel, which is important for a rookie.
“FT2 was much better than FT1, so that was a good step forward,” confirms Sargeant himself. He explains his poor placing as follows: “I did a halfway decent lap on the soft tire, but made a mistake in the last corner , which cost us lap time.”
Nevertheless, he doesn’t rate the day negatively because he learned a lot. “As a team we knew it would be a tough weekend where we would have to overcome the limitations [des Autos] that we haven’t really experienced in the last few races,” he explains.
“We just have to try to find a way to get around them as best we can,” said Sargeant, and Robson added: “We still have a lot of work to do to improve the car, but we know what we’re looking for , and we will certainly be able to make progress.”
At least on paper, after P19 and P20 on Friday, things aren’t going any further back…