Albon frustrated by damage that cost shot at Q3

Alex Albon reckons the strong pace of his Williams would have given him a shot at Q3 in qualifying in Bahrain had he been spared front wing damage that curtailed his efforts in Q2.

Albon enjoyed a flying start to his Saturday evenings session, the Williams charger clocking in P9 at the end of an incredibly tight first segment of qualifying.

But the Anglo-Thai driver only achieved one lap in Q2 before aborting the session due to a damaged front wing.

"We had some front wing damage in qualifying, and we lost one of the flaps, so we didn’t complete a lap in Q2," said Albon.

"I’m a bit disappointed after being P9 in Q1 and I feel like we deserved more than where we qualified but I think if you look at where we were this time last year and where we are at this year, apart from Aston Martin, we’re the team that has made the biggest step forward.

"I’m really proud of everyone at the team and at the factory and things are going in the right direction."

• 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix - Qualifying results

The Williams' shocking pace in the session provides Albon with some interesting prospects for Sunday's race.

"We really do come alive when the track becomes cold and I would say our race pace is stronger than our qualifying pace, so let’s see what happens tomorrow", he said.

On the other side of the Williams garage, Logan Sargeant acquitted himself well in the session, the American keeping it together in Q1 - and recording the exact same time as McLaren's Lando Norris in the segment - while setting the 16th fastest lap overall.

"We had good pace today and the team deserved to have both cars in Q2," he said.

"A slight mistake in Sector 1 cost me as I struggled to find my brake point with the change of wind at Turn 1. However, we've laid a good foundation for ourselves to build off going forward.

"I think we had the car in a great window this evening. In terms of balance it was right where I wanted it, I just needed to put it together slightly better.

"It's going to be a pretty special feeling when the lights go out tomorrow. I'll try to get off the line clean, have a good first lap and build from there."

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