Williams Formula 1 endured a weekend of hard lessons and tough breaks at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, as both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz were disqualified from qualifying due to a technical infringement involving the Drag Reduction System (DRS) on their FW47 cars. The setback, which sent shockwaves through the Marina Bay Street Circuit paddock, not only forced both drivers to start from the back of the grid but also exposed deeper issues within the storied team’s technical operations and infrastructure.
The drama unfolded late on October 11, 2025, when FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer discovered during post-qualifying scrutineering that the rear wings of both Williams cars did not comply with Formula 1’s strict Technical Regulations. Specifically, the DRS—designed to open the rear wing and reduce drag for overtaking—was found to exceed the maximum permitted opening of 85 millimeters on both sides of the outer area. Albon and Sainz, who had originally qualified 12th and 13th respectively, were thus stripped of their grid positions and relegated to the back row.
The FIA’s official report was unequivocal: “During post-qualifying scrutineering, the rear wing of the car was found to be noncompliant with the Technical Regulations. The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked. The DRS in the state of deployment exceeded the maximum limit of 85 mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area.” The stewards noted that Williams had performed their own checks prior to qualifying, and their measurements indicated compliance. However, when the FIA’s own tools were used, a larger gap was detected—one that put the car outside the legal threshold.
Williams did not contest the FIA’s findings. In a statement, the team acknowledged the error and accepted full responsibility. “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,” said team principal James Vowles. “This is bitterly disappointing for the team and we are urgently investigating how this happened.”
The incident has a clear precedent: both Haas cars were disqualified from qualifying at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix for a similar breach involving DRS measurements. As in Monaco, the Singapore stewards allowed Albon and Sainz to start the race, albeit from the back. Albon, after further setup changes, began from the pit lane, while Sainz lined up 18th on the grid.
In the race itself, fortunes diverged for the Williams drivers. Sainz managed a gritty drive through the field, salvaging a 10th-place finish and a single championship point. Albon, meanwhile, struggled to make headway from the pit lane and ultimately finished 14th, outside the points. For a team that had shown glimpses of competitive pace in practice, it was a weekend that could—and perhaps should—have yielded more.
The disqualification, however, was just the tip of the iceberg. In the days following the race, Vowles provided a candid assessment of the team’s internal review. “Singapore was a just reminder that we have a long way to go before we’re at a championship level,” Vowles admitted in his regular ‘The Vowles Verdict’ feature on the Williams YouTube channel. Delving into the specifics, he explained, “In terms of what happened, we were legal across pretty much most of the span of the wing. What we do is open up, turn on the car engine, open up the DRS and use a tool that we have and the FIA have as well in order to test along the length of that. And it passed pretty much in most locations apart from at the very edge of the wing. But irrespective, that’s still illegal to the regulations.”
Vowles went on to reveal that the issue was not simply a matter of a rogue component, but rather a systemic failure. “When we actually dig down underneath all of that, we can actually track it down to a number of systems and processes that simply weren’t in place, weren’t up to date, and even the tool that we had didn’t properly mirror the tool that the FIA had as well, which could have allowed for discrepancy.” He emphasized the broader implications: “Now, this is just one of a thousand tests that can be carried out by the FIA. But irrespective, all of them are as important as each other, and it’s our duty and responsibility to make sure we’re legal to it.”
The team’s technical troubles are rooted in a long history of underinvestment. Williams, once a dominant force in Formula 1, suffered from years of stagnation under family ownership, with many tools and systems left outdated. “There are some elements that are 20 years out of date, which makes sense if you think through the history of this team. The investment it had was zero for around about 20 years and then an investment firm came through,” Vowles said last year, reflecting on the challenge of modernizing the team. “Fundamentally, we’re in a situation where a lot of facilities were almost preserved from where they were 20 years ago. Composites is behind what I knew when I first joined the sport with a different team 20 years ago.”
Since Dorilton Capital acquired Williams, efforts have been made to improve the situation, but progress has been slow—hampered in part by Formula 1’s cost cap regulations, which limit how much teams can spend on infrastructure and development. Williams attempted to secure an increase in capital expenditure (CapEx) allowances to upgrade its facilities, but rival teams blocked the proposal, fearing it would give Williams an unfair advantage under the tightly controlled budget system. A compromise sliding scale was eventually agreed upon, but it has not allowed Williams to close the gap as quickly as hoped.
Despite the frustration, Vowles remains resolute. “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.” The team’s leadership has pledged to overhaul its compliance and measurement systems, ensuring future checks align precisely with FIA standards.
For Williams, the Singapore Grand Prix was more than just a missed opportunity for points—it was a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous technical compliance and the ongoing challenge of rebuilding a once-great team in the modern Formula 1 era. As the season moves forward, all eyes will be on how Williams responds, both on and off the track, to ensure such costly mistakes are consigned to the past.
With the next race looming and the team’s pride on the line, Williams faces a pivotal moment. Will these hard-earned lessons spark the turnaround that fans have been hoping for? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain: the team’s determination to return to the front of the grid has never been clearer.
