Williams team principal James Vowles has revealed the extent of the damage sustained to Alex Albon’s FW48 after crashing into a wall during Canadian Grand Prix practice following a collision with a wild animal.
The incident occurred 23 minutes into a red-flag-strewn session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon in his Haas were also involved in incidents that led to the hour-long outing being extended by 19 minutes.
Williams confirmed that after Albon came around Turn 7, he “unfortunately couldn’t avoid” hitting a marmot. That pitched the Thai-British driver into a wall on his left-hand side before he eventually ground to a halt.
Williams is now in a race against time to repair the damage sustained in order for Albon to take part in sprint qualifying.
“It’s one of the risks of this circuit,” said Vowles, speaking to Sky Sports F1. “I know that sounds strange, perhaps, to people who aren’t used to it, but there are marmots across the 26 years or so we’ve been coming here, and, unfortunately, there have been a few of these [incidents].”
Confirming that the damage to the car “is extensive”, he added: “Front corner, rear corner, floor, front wing, suspension.”
As to Albon’s response to the incident, Vowles said: “His initial reaction is obviously frustration, because he was keeping his head up on Carlos [Sainz], and his pace was looking good, and he needs this session.
“In these sprint sessions, you get 60 minutes. That’s it, and to lose over half of it is frustrating.
“Back in the garage, he’s more worried about his mum, but suspects he’s going to have to pay to adopt a family of marmots, because that is a consequence of that.”
