Albon targeting points at Spa after Q3 breakthrough

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Alex Albon made F1's top-ten shootout in qualifying for the first time this season on Saturday at Spa, a performance that has brought the hope of points on Sunday for the Williams charger.

The British outfit's low downforce FW44 contender has been among the fastest cars in a straight line at Spa which Albon exploited to qualify ninth.

"The car has been feeling really good all weekend," commented the Anglo-Thai driver. "

"We know we tend to suit the low-downforce circuits. We knew this was a chance to do Q2, but Q3 is a different ballgame.

"I feel we maximized everything today; got the tyres in the right window — it’s been tricky with these cars this year — got the right slipstream."

But on his final run in Q3, Albon found himself with a clear track and no cars on which to latch on to gain some extra speed.

"We tried something a bit different in Q3 — go by ourselves, which with hindsight was a little bit worse. It feels good."

Engine penalties and grid drops impacting three drivers ahead of Albon in qualifying mean he'll line up sixth on Sunday's grid, a position he doesn't expect to hold, but a top-ten is definitely in his line of sight.

2022 Belgian Grand Prix - Provisional starting grid

"It’s a little bit unpredictable as no one has really done a proper race run this weekend, with the weather," he said.

"Normally our race pace is a little bit stronger than our qualifying pace but I’m not sure starting P6 that’ll be the case.

"So we’ve got to focus on ourselves. This circuit’s not like Monaco or Zandvoort — if you’re quicker you tend to be able to get past the car in front. We have to bear that in mind.

"We do have a slippery car, which is always going to help us to try and stay in front but regardless it’s going to be a battle.

"When you look at people like Max and Charles I think they’re going to be past everyone in lap five or so, so let’s keep that in mind and try and get some points."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.