Sainz and Albon disqualified from Singapore Grand Prix qualifying

Williams suffers a double disqualification from the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying after technical infringements on the DRS configurations of both cars.

Credit: Williams

After qualifying 12th and 13th for the Singapore Grand Prix, Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz have been disqualified from the Saturday session following parc fermé assessments that found both Williams cars in breach of Formula One's technical regulations on rear wing heights — the Drag Reduction System (DRS) creating a higher gap than permitted.

An initial report from the FIA's Technical Delegate Jo Bauer stated: "The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car numbers 23 and 55.

"Both cars exceeded the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.

"As this is not in compliance with TR Article 3.10.10 g., I am referring this matter to the stewards for their confirmation."

Following further review from the stewards, it has been decided that both Williams cars have been disqualified from the session, meaning that Albon and Sainz will start Sunday's race from the back of the grid.

The official document confirming the decision states: "During post-qualifying scrutineering, the rear wing of the car was found to be non-compliant with the Technical Regulations. The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked. The DRS in the state of deployment exceeded the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.

"At the hearing, the Competitor admitted that, although their own measurement prior to

the qualifying had shown the component to be within tolerance, the measurement

subsequently conducted by the appointed FIA Officials revealed a larger gap than

permitted and therefore the rear wing did not conform with the required dimension.

"The Competitor did not contest the measurement procedure, the methodology, or the

accuracy of the measuring equipment used by FIA . The Competitor fully accepted

the results of the FIA measurement and acknowledged that the rear wing fitted to the

car did not comply with the requirements of the Technical Regulations.

"Accordingly, the standard penalty applicable to technical infringements is imposed."

The unpleasant result follows an already disappointing qualifying session that saw both Albon and Sainz duck out in Q2 after setting early laps, but slipping behind as other drivers improved on track.

Williams arrived at Singapore fresh off the back of a momentous podium courtesy of Sainz in Baku, their first since 2021. Their Friday around Marina Bay showed flashes of performance, setting themselves up nicely for qualifying.

Yet by going out too early and not putting in a second set of laps, the risk of getting knocked out of the session was much too high.

Now set to fight from the back of the grid on a track that rewards track position, the race will be a steep uphill climb for the Grove outfit, who will be hoping to recover to the points and maintain the distance between themselves and Racing Bulls in the Constructors' Championship.