Tensions Flare at Canadian Grand Prix as Albon’s Engine Cover Flies Off in Bizarre Qualifying Incident
Qualifying at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix was dramatically halted due to a highly unusual and potentially dangerous incident involving Williams driver Alex Albon. As the Thai-British driver was pushing down the backstraight of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the engine cover of his FW47 suddenly detached from the chassis and went flying, scattering debris across the racing surface. The incident triggered an immediate red flag, bringing the session to a stop as race officials prioritized safety.
Track marshals were swiftly deployed to remove the shattered pieces of bodywork from the track, causing a considerable delay in proceedings. Albon, 29, managed to nurse his car back to the pit lane without further damage, where Williams mechanics immediately launched into action. Their task was critical—replace the engine cover and assess any potential damage to the car’s systems, particularly in the exposed engine bay.
Complicating matters further, Albon caught the attention of the race stewards for not following the expected safety protocol after the failure occurred. Instead of pulling off the racing line and using the designated escape road, he returned to the pits in a manner that could be seen as unsafe. Though no penalty was issued immediately, the stewards confirmed that the incident was under review, with a decision pending further investigation.
Despite the chaos, the Williams team worked quickly and efficiently to repair the car. With minutes to spare, Albon was sent back onto the track, managing to deliver a solid flying lap that placed him comfortably within the top ten of Q1—securing his spot in the next session, Q2. It was a gritty performance by both driver and team, showcasing their determination under pressure.
The incident was especially disheartening for Williams, considering their strong showing in the weekend’s earlier practice sessions. Both Albon and his team-mate Carlos Sainz had been consistently quick, regularly appearing in the top three positions during Friday’s running. Hopes were high for a double Q3 appearance, or at least a strong starting position for both cars.
However, things quickly went from bad to worse for the team. While Albon recovered well, Sainz’s session ended in disappointment. The Spaniard, who had shown such promise in FP1 and FP2, was impeded by RB’s rookie Isack Hadjar on his final flying lap. The obstruction compromised Sainz’s lap time, resulting in his shock elimination in Q1. Stewards may review the incident to determine if Hadjar improperly blocked Sainz, but no further actions were taken at the time.
As for Albon’s engine cover failure, the precise cause has yet to be determined. Williams has not released any technical explanation, though the FIA is expected to carry out a thorough review. Incidents involving bodywork detachment are rare in modern Formula 1, raising concerns about structural integrity and manufacturing quality.
With the race still ahead, Williams will be aiming to bounce back from a chaotic qualifying session. The pace is clearly there—it’s now a matter of converting it into points on Sunday.
