Sainz drops further after an already poor qualifying

Carlos Sainz was eliminated in Q1 with the 17th-fastest time before receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Valtteri Bottas through the Turns 6-7 sequence. The stewards found that Williams had not given him sufficient warning about the approaching Cadillac. Sainz will therefore drop to the back of the grid. Fernando Alonso, only 18th in qualifying, will also start a long way from the points.

Alexander Albon was only 16th, meaning both Williams cars missed Q2. There is not enough evidence, however, to link that result directly to the team’s 2027 development choices. For Sainz and Alonso, the race will mainly depend on a clean start, an alternative strategy and whatever opportunities emerge in a Grand Prix where overtaking is expected to be difficult.