• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Why Alex Albon can still race in Dutch GP despite being disqualified from qualifying over illegal car part

Home> F1

Published 09:43 25 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Why Alex Albon can still race in Dutch GP despite being disqualified from qualifying over illegal car part

Albon can still line up on the grid at Zandvoort.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Alex Albon will start the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort from the back of the grid after his Williams car was found to have an illegal part in qualifying. But why is he still able to race?

The Thai driver qualified an impressive eighth on Saturday, securing Williams' best qualifying result of 2024.

The Grove-based team brought a series of upgrades to Zandvoort, with one of those being a significant change to the car's floor.

Advert

However, the FIA found an issue with the measurements of the new part after the FIA's Technical Delegate Jo Bauer examined it during qualifying.

The error, Williams claimed, was down to their measurement system - which measured the floor to be within legal volumes - being different from the system that the FIA use.

Albon and his team were summoned to the stewards, before officially being disqualified. He will now start from the back of the grid.

An FIA statement read: "The floor body of Car 23 [Albon] was found to lie outside the regulatory volume mentioned in Article 3.5.1 a) of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations.

Advert

"The team did not dispute the calibration of the FIA measuring system and the measurement of the car, but stated that their own measurements have produced different results."

It continued: "The Stewards determine that the result of the measurement conducted with the FIA system in Parc Ferme is the relevant one and the due process prescribed by the regulations has been followed. Therefore the standard penalty for such an infringement is applied."

Williams driver Alex Albon was disqualified from Dutch GP qualifying -
Getty

Albon's discretion now technically means he falls within the 107 per cent rule, in which drivers must set a lap time that falls within 107 per cent of the fastest lap time in Q1.

Advert

As Albon has been disqualified from qualifying entirely, he hasn't therefore registered a lap time - despite getting into Q3 - and therefore is outside of the 107 per cent rule by default.

The reason he has not been disqualified from racing is because the rule is at the stewards' discretion. Generally, if a driver shows 'satisfactory times' in practice, they will be allowed to race.

Williams therefore made a request to the FIA to allow Albon to race, which was granted.

FIA

Advert

The rule was brought in for the 1996 F1 season, due to the fact that all 26 entries were able to qualify for races, regardless of speed.

In the past, entries were limited to 26 but there were substantially more cars attempting to qualify, meaning those who were too slow simply didn't make it into Grands Prix.

In 2010, the rule was brought back in for the 2011 season, with the struggling HRT team breaking it on four occasions in 2011 and 2012 and being banned from the race.

Since 2012, though, no driver who has fallen foul of the 107 per cent has been barred from the race.

Featured Image Credit: Getty / Sky Sports

Topics: Formula 1

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • FIA announce last-minute change to F1 Dutch GP as warning issued ahead of race
  • F1 driver's future plunged into doubt on the eve of Dutch GP
  • F1 driver walks out of Dutch GP interview after hearing reporter's question
  • Carlos Sainz to trigger rare GPDA action after 'unacceptable' Dutch GP penalty

Choose your content:

12 hours ago
14 hours ago
a day ago
  • GettyGetty
    12 hours ago

    Ferrari Eye Shock Hamilton Replacement With F1 Star on Radar

    Lewis Hamilton has had a tough start to life at Ferrari.

    F1
  • Joe Portlock / Stringer via GettyJoe Portlock / Stringer via Getty
    12 hours ago

    F1 Team Announces Surprise Switch With Driver on Verge of Rare Punishment

    With a driver set for a potential one-race ban, one reserve may get an opportunity.

    F1
  • GettyGetty
    14 hours ago

    Lewis Hamilton 'Enormously' Values One Ferrari Contract Clause After Mercedes

    A former teammate has revealed a valued detail in Hamilton's contract with Ferrari

    F1
  • Clive Rose / Staff via GettyClive Rose / Staff via Getty
    a day ago

    F1 Fans in Disbelief after Prices for 2026 Silverstone Grand Prix Emerge

    Formula 1 supporters have been left shocked by the British Grand Prix ticket prices.

    F1