WATCH: Alex Albon’s disastrous Pit lane blunder at Azerbaijan Grand Prix leaves fans shocked

Alex Albon’s Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session took an unexpected turn due to a pit lane mishap that nearly derailed his performance. The Williams driver’s final attempt for a better position was compromised when the airbox cooling fan remained attached to his car as he exited the pit lane.

During the crucial moments of qualifying, Albon and his teammate, Franco Colapinto, both secured spots in the Q3 top-10 shootout, showcasing a strong performance for Williams. However, the session took a turn for the worse when Albon’s car was inadvertently released with the cooling fan still attached.

Here is the video:

Well... this is a new one 😅



A quite remarkable start to Q3 for Alex Albon!#F1 #AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/QgCCTVz95y

— Formula 1 (@F1) September 14, 2024

In the hustle to gain a competitive edge and secure a good tow for his flying lap, Albon's team failed to notice the fan on the car. The Anglo-Thai driver managed to halt the car at the pit lane exit and remove the fan, but this oversight cost him valuable time. As a result, Albon missed his final lap, which could have significantly impacted his starting position.

What did Alex Albon say about the incident?

Alex Albon reflected on the incident, attributing it to the urgency of the situation. He explained, “It was a bit of a rush to get the tow, a bit like Monza. I think this track’s even better with the tow than Monza because it’s a low-speed exit and you don’t lose as much in the dirty area.”

Despite the setback, Albon maintained a positive outlook, noting that the mistake was preferable during Q3 rather than the earlier rounds. He said, “Better to happen in Q3 than in Q1 and Q2. It was a bit of a mistake, we’ll have a look and review it. But it happens, I’m not kicking the team.”

To avoid a penalty, Albon had to remove the fan himself, with the team instructing him to ensure that no marshals interfered with the car. Albon’s attempt to get back on track was in vain as he missed the chequered flag by just three seconds, which relegated him to 10th place in qualifying, one position behind Colapinto.

In the end, Albon was fortunate to avoid a grid penalty, starting from ninth after Lewis Hamilton’s power unit change. Williams, however, faced a €5000 fine from the FIA Race Stewards for the pit lane incident. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of precision in the high-stakes world of Formula 1.