The Williams team principal, James Vowles, believes that Formula 1 should reconsider the strategies employed by Haas during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which allowed Nico Hulkenberg to score a point. Haas decided to pit Kevin Magnussen during the safety car period, while keeping Hulkenberg out on track. Magnussen received two time penalties shortly after the restart, one for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, and another for colliding with Williams’ Alex Albon. Despite the penalties, Magnussen deliberately slowed down the chasing pack, creating a gap that allowed Hulkenberg to stay ahead when he eventually made his mandatory pit stop. This strategic move resulted in Haas securing sixth place in the championship, ahead of Williams, Sauber, Red Bull, and Alpine, who have yet to score points. Vowles expressed his frustration with the outcome, citing the damage caused to Albon’s car as a result of Magnussen’s actions. He called for a review of these tactics, questioning their viability and sportsmanship. Vowles made it clear that this is not the way he wants to approach races. Albon finished the race in 11th place, considering Magnussen’s time penalties. Vowles remains optimistic about Williams’ performance in future events, noting the competitiveness of the midfield battle and the tight margins between teams. He believes the team has the potential to do well in upcoming races, especially in Melbourne. Vowles also mentioned the need to address any lingering concerns from the previous year and expressed curiosity about the car’s performance in Japan. He emphasized the importance of being in the mix for points when opportunities arise, especially when the top five teams leave points on the table.
