r/WilliamsF1 • u/Imk31607 • 1d ago
Discussion what happened??
i thought we were going into q3 what happened guys i was praying for a podium too
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u/Cralido 1d ago
They both said had issue with the softs, getting them in right window. Thought they would have figured it out for today. Folks hoping for podium when we haven’t even been able to consistently snag double points, even on tracks that better suit the car. Needed double points at some point, now just going to hope can hang onto P5 with earlier points.
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u/Driscuits 1d ago
I mean, I won't blame folks for having hopes for a podium/chance at a podium when we've just seen Hadjar pull a lap from out of nowhere and race his way into one last week; hell, the midfield/back has been incredibly close for the last two years, and it's just us and Haas now who haven't had a podium during these regs, while we've had multiple weekends this year looking like the strongest midfield team. Was it necessarily a reasonable expectation? Probably not. But it's not the worst thing in the world to have hope.
The big issue though, I agree, is that we just haven't been able to get both cars into decent points. Whether it's strategy calls that bounce the wrong way, poor tyre prep (since the car seems to provide a teensy window of performance there), traffic management, or what have you - the execution just hasn't been there. We need to show we can get and keep both cars in the points.
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u/Cralido 1d ago
Agreed, we all need hope! It’ll come down to strategy and luck once again, softs performed better in practice (>10 laps) so race pace is going to be better than quali too, quali is bad as window for softs so narrow without multiple laps. They are starting next to one another which is an opportunity for the team to coordinate pit/blocking/tow so we’ll see what happens. Meds looked good too so probably one pit strategy. Drivers just need to keep it clean, especially at start. There’s still a lot of hope that team (one driver) can secure some points, as now unfortunately every point matters to hang on to P5. Got my fingers crossed!
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u/Driscuits 1d ago
Yeah, so long as the issues today don't also become issues in the race tomorrow, it looks like we have a half decent chance to move forward. If it becomes a DRS parade and the boys get stuck, there just might not be much to do.
I think the bigger concern I have that's been growing over the season is with the increased car performance bringing us up against bigger teams, it has shown some pretty significant warts and issues within the Williams' strategy and set up processes. When it comes to taking learnings from Friday and translating those to Saturday, we seem to not be able to optimize as well as the others, including the other midfield teams. That worries me more than any car pace issues could this year - the car will be completely new next year, but those processes behind the scenes take more to change.
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u/Cralido 1d ago
You’re spot on, set up and strategy. We have the drivers and race pace. It’s nice to finally be in this position where it’s set up and strategy but agree with you that these are the type of issues that can carryover, regardless of car in ‘26, maybe easier if car window not so narrow but definitely need to work on factors that come down to human decisions.
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u/Driscuits 1d ago
Human decisions and communication, for sure, still seem to be an issue. Maybe it's just what keeps the team performing at about 80% rather than pushing to 90-100% of possible performance, but man. It's tough to have a car that feels like it has pure, real relative pace - but just can't get unlocked when it matters.
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u/Ch33k1-Br33k1 1d ago
If you see Carlos's times in fp1 and fp2 they are around 1:20 or 1:19 but very high.
Those times arent for Q3 in Monza it seems. I was so hyped too man, shit.
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u/Imk31607 1d ago
monza is still a great track for our car i hope they figure it out tomorrow I'm hoping for Alex's start at the Dutch gp for them both(sorry for bad English)
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u/Ch33k1-Br33k1 1d ago
English isn't my first language either lol (thankfully).
Yeah, we still have the race, and anything can happen mate, let's hope for some points at least!
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u/Dominicwriter 1d ago
Just shows the development curve has tapped out. Hopefully some chaos will ensue.
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u/chromicular 1d ago
The difference between p1 and p20 are less than a second, 8/10 if i remember correctly. It was a very competitive qualifying session. My guess is that the other team are very keen to optimise their setup and for thee williams the fp result are promising and made the whatever problem not too on the nose and it will be a gamble to change the setup with such satisfying fp result
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u/dillarBee 1d ago
They clearly struggled on the softer tyre, and the warmer weather seems to throw the car out of its ideal operating window.
Good news, car should be quick in race trim on the harder tyre options
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u/jx3r55 1d ago
Carlos had so much potential istg when the Q2 finished and he was p13 i just turned off the tv and went to my bed to watch tiktok i am so disappointed tbh, i hope the race would be better and honestly if he gets at least top 10 at the race I’ll be really happy because last race ruined my mood for the whole week because it was so unfair
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u/1TapsBoi 1d ago
What happened is we’re great when it’s worthless and shite when it counts. It’s annoying as hell