As the primary observe session on the Method 1 Australian Grand Prix wound down, Alex Albon discovered himself in a tough spot.

The wall.

As Albon was popping out of the exit to Flip 6 and ran a bit extensive into Flip 7, which resulted in an enormous crash that induced substantial injury to his FW46:

The Williams driver was high quality, and had this to say following the incident within the group’s post-practice report: “I ran a bit extensive and went up onto the exit curb and bottomed out once I landed, so it’s irritating.”

It was the identical flip the place Albon crashed in final season’s Australian Grand Prix.

Nonetheless, the frustration was simply starting for Albon and the group.

Albon was sidelined for the second observe session, and solely teammate Logan Sargeant was capable of take part. However following the second observe session the actual bitter information got here from the group.

With the chassis to Albon’s automotive unable to be repaired in time, and the group not having a spare chassis this weekend, the choice had been made to slip Albon into Sargeant’s automotive for the remainder of the week.

“We’re vastly disillusioned that the injury sustained to the chassis has meant we have to withdraw it from the weekend. It’s unacceptable in modern-day Method 1 to not have a spare chassis, however it’s a reflection of how behind we had been within the winter interval and an illustration of why we have to undergo vital change with a purpose to get ourselves in a greater place for the long run. In consequence, now we have had some very troublesome selections to make this afternoon,” mentioned Crew Principal James Vowles in a press release.

Vowles went on to reward Sargeant’s dedication to the group.

“Whereas Logan mustn’t should undergo from a mistake that he didn’t make, each race counts when the midfield is tighter than ever, so now we have made the decision primarily based on our greatest potential to attain factors this weekend. This resolution was not made evenly, and we can’t thank Logan sufficient for his swish acceptance, demonstrating his dedication to the group; he’s a real group participant,” added Vowles. “It will show a troublesome weekend for Williams, and this case will not be one that we’ll put ourselves in once more.”

Sargeant, who’s beneath stress to maintain his seat in F1 for subsequent season, known as it the toughest second of his profession.

“That is the toughest second I can bear in mind in my profession and it’s completely not straightforward. I’m nevertheless utterly right here for the group and can proceed to contribute in any approach that I can this weekend to maximise what we are able to do,” mentioned the second-year driver.

For his half, Albon praised his teammate, admitting that no driver would wish to be in Sargeant’s place.

“I’ve to be completely sincere and say that no driver would wish to surrender his seat. I might by no means need something like this to occur. Logan has all the time been a consummate skilled and a group participant from day one, and this received’t be a simple one for him to take,” mentioned Albon. “At this level although, I can’t dwell on the scenario and my solely job now’s to maximise our potential this weekend and work with the entire group to verify we do one of the best job potential.”

Whereas groups ordinarily have a backup chassis on race weekends, Williams’s growth of the FW46 noticed some delays, which left them and not using a spare for the primary three races of the season.

And left them compelled to made a brutal resolution on Friday.

Whereas on paper that is most likely the suitable resolution for the group, given Albon’s expertise general and his outcomes final season in comparison with Sargent, that is going to be a bitter weekend for the group, no matter how the subsequent few days unfold.