Williams secured their first podium finish of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix two weeks ago, as Carlos Sainz Jr. delivered a dazzling third-place finish.
A second podium for the team this weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix has become much tougher following qualifying.
Both Alexander Albon and Sainz have been disqualified, after each driver’s FW47 failed post-qualifying inspections.
During post-qualifying scrutineering, the rear wings of both Albon’s and Sainz’s cars were inspected, and both rear wings were found to be “non-compliant with the Technical Regulations.” Specifically, the “uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked. The DRS [Drag Reduction System] in the state of deployment exceeded the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.”
The team was summoned to meet with race stewards following qualifying — where Albon qualified 12th and Sainz 13th — for a hearing, to determine whether the team had violated Article 3.10.10.g of the Technical Regulations. That section reads:
“At all points along the span, when the DRS is in the state of deployment, the two sections the rear wing profiles (as defined under Article 3.10.1) must have a minimum gap of between 9.4mm and 85mm. This will be measured with a spherical gauge.”
At the hearing, a team representative conceded 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.”
In addition, Williams “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.”
As a result, the “standard penalty applicable to technical infringements” was imposed, which is disqualification.
Williams then submitted a request to allow both cars to start the race despite being disqualified, and that was permitted under Article 39.4 b) of the Sporting Regulations.
As such, the two drivers will line up at the back of the grid, with Albon in P19 and Sainz in P20.
Team Principal James Vowles called the decision “bitterly disappointing” for the team.
“During FIA scrutineering after Qualifying, the rear wings on both our cars failed DRS slot gap checks. As a result, Alex and Carlos have been disqualified from Qualifying for tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix. This is bitterly disappointing for the team and we are urgently investigating how this happened,” said Vowles in a statement.
“At no point were we seeking a performance advantage and the rear wings had passed our own checks earlier in the day, but there is only one measurement that matters and we fully accept the FIA ruling. We have a car capable of scoring points here this weekend and will do everything we can to fight from the back of the grid tomorrow, and will immediately review our processes to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Williams enters the Singapore Grand Prix sitting fifth in the Constructors’ Championship standings with 101 points, 29 points ahead of sixth-place Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
