Alex Albon has admitted that there is no “immediate” fix to the issues Williams is combating with its 2024 Formula 1 car as it awaits upgrades to boost its prospects.
Williams’ pointless beginning to the current season continued in China last time out as Albon came home 12th, with Logan Sargeant the last classified runner in 17th.
Albon had been on the periphery of the top 10 in the closing stages, but he was unable to pass Esteban Ocon’s Alpine to mount an attack on Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas.
Excessive degradation has been a weakness Williams has had issues with this season and Albon said “struggling” was “the most diplomatic word to use” in Shanghai.
“They increased the Pirelli minimum tyre pressures again last night,” Albon pointed out.
“The tyres last literally four corners out of the pit lane. You feel really good through two, three and then they’re gone again.”
Albon revealed that the tweaks Pirelli implemented prior to the race prompted Williams to increase the front wing angle on both cars to contend with the modification.
“It’s so high that it’s literally just tearing the tyre up. And ‘safety, safety’ but it’s painful. Anyway, that’s same for everyone.
“We’re putting so much flap in the car, normally you take out flap for a race car, but you’ve just got to keep it in and try and deal with the oversteer.”
Williams has been unable to build on an encouraging campaign last term that saw it clinch seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship with a haul of 28 points.
Although the Grove-based squad has eradicated long-standing weaknesses with its revised car concept, Albon concedes that there are now other hitches to iron out.
“We ultimately didn’t have the pace to overtake Ocon at the end and he was defending well,” the Anglo-Thai driver expressed.
“We understand the problems with the car, but they’re not immediate fixes and we will need a few upgrades to improve our performance.
“Looking to Miami, I think our car will suit the track much better and I’m optimistic we can have a better result.”
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