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Shock for Williams: Disqualification after DRS breakdown in qualifying!
Williams was disqualified by the FIA because of an unauthorized DRS system. Albon and Sainz now start from 19th and 20th place.
Shock for Williams: Disqualification after DRS breakdown in qualifying!
The Formula 1 season is full of surprises and the latest setback for the Williams team shows once again how quickly things can change on the race weekend. On October 4, 2025, the FIA announced that Williams had been disqualified due to unauthorized use of the Drag Reduction System (DRS). Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, who originally took 12th and 13th place in qualifying, now have to start the race from 19th and 20th place. The reason? The technical inspection revealed that the DRS gap exceeded the permitted 85 millimeters when open, resulting in a non-compliant rear wing. Today reports that the excessive DRS gap primarily provided an illegal speed advantage.
How does the DRS actually work? Since its introduction in 2011, this system has made overtaking maneuvers in Formula 1 easier by hydraulically flattening part of the rear wing. This reduces air resistance on straight lines, which increases the top speed. But the whole thing has its rules: DRS may only be used if the distance to the vehicle in front is less than one second and is activated in defined DRS zones. During Williams' technical inspection, Jo Bauer, the FIA's technical delegate, found that the distance between the elements of the rear wing exceeded the maximum - a clear irregularity.
Williams accepts the decision
Team boss James Vowles was disappointed with the decision, but accepted the FIA's verdict. He stressed that Williams never sought a performance advantage and plans to review internal processes to prevent future incidents. “We had a good chance of reaching the top 10 in qualifying, but now we have to start from the back,” said Vowles. In the training sessions, Carlos Sainz was still placed in the top 10, which only reinforces the disappointment of the disqualification.
Williams' disqualification is not the first incident of this kind. Last year, both Haas cars had to be disqualified after qualifying at the Monaco Grand Prix. The race stewards did not assume any intent, but the violations of the rules not only affected Williams' racing luck, but also caused tension among the entire field of drivers.
A look back at DRS and the technology
The DRS has caused lively debate in recent years. While some drivers praise the ability to make overtaking maneuvers easier, others criticize it as a potential safety risk. Some racers also see DRS as an unfair advantage as it often benefits the drivers behind, creating an uneven playing field.
Does Williams want to learn from this setback and fight for new points at the next race in Singapore? Vowles remains optimistic and believes in the car's performance. The team will use every opportunity in the coming days to prepare for the race in the best possible way - no matter where they have to start from. The Singapore Grand Prix will show whether the Williams drivers can still turn things around, even starting from behind.