FIA confirm outcome of F1 car inspection at M…read more
The FIA has officially confirmed the results of a routine inspection of Alex Albon’s Formula 1 car ahead of the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. The inspection was part of the governing body’s standard procedures to ensure that all competitors are adhering to the technical regulations that underpin the fairness and integrity of the sport. Albon’s car, operated by the Williams Racing team, was chosen for this standard check following his impressive fifth-place finish at the recent Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
While the Williams team’s garage remained in Imola in the days following the race, Albon’s car was singled out for an in-depth inspection. The FIA’s Technical Department conducted a thorough examination of various key components of the car, focusing particularly on elements related to the suspension systems. The inspection covered all front and rear inboard suspension components, as well as both front and rear dampers. Additionally, officials inspected all sensors associated with these systems, examining the routing of the electrical looms and checking their connections to the Standard Electronic Control Unit (SECU) and other onboard systems.
Following the completion of this detailed review, the FIA announced on Thursday, just ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, that all of the scrutinized parts on Albon’s car were found to be fully compliant with the sport’s technical regulations. This confirmation ensures that Williams faces no penalties or technical infringements going into one of the most anticipated races on the Formula 1 calendar.
This announcement comes at a time of renewed optimism for the Williams Racing team, which has shown a significant resurgence during the 2025 season. After seven rounds of this year’s championship, the team currently sits fifth in the Constructors’ Standings. Collectively, Albon and his teammate Carlos Sainz have amassed 51 points, a stark contrast to their performance in the 2024 season. To highlight the extent of the team’s progress, they have already more than tripled their total points haul from the entirety of last season, when they managed just 17 points and finished ninth in the standings.
The 2024 season had been a difficult one for the Grove-based outfit. Frequent crashes, technical failures, and a lack of available spare parts hampered their ability to perform consistently. There were even occasions when the team struggled to fully repair damaged cars in time for the next event, underlining the depth of the challenges they faced.
In contrast, the 2025 campaign has seen a dramatic turnaround in both performance and reliability. Williams cars have become regular contenders in Q3 qualifying sessions, and they have demonstrated the pace to challenge and even outqualify traditionally stronger teams like Ferrari on occasion. A notable example was during qualifying at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, where the team’s pace over one lap proved superior to that of the Scuderia.
Albon’s recent performances have been instrumental in driving this success. His fifth-place finish at Imola not only demonstrated the car’s competitiveness but also solidified his role as a key figure in Williams’ ongoing resurgence. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz’s experience and racecraft have added further stability to the team’s campaign.
With a clean bill of health from the FIA and momentum firmly on their side, Williams heads into the Monaco Grand Prix weekend with high hopes. As the team continues to close the gap to the front-runners, fans and rivals alike will be watching closely to see if this iconic team can continue its impressive revival and perhaps even challenge for podiums in the near future.
