Albon questions FIA rolling-start logic

Alex Albon has questioned the FIA's decision not to undertake a standing start at the Monaco Grand Prix after Mick Schumacher's car-splitting crash.

Sunday's F1 race was initially delayed by 65 minutes after a rain shower turned into a torrential downpour.

Although Williams driver Albon accepts it was too wet to start the race from the grid following the long delay, he was left confused as to why it was not used after the red-flag period following Schumacher's crash.

Reflecting initially on the rain-hit delay, Albon said: “I reckon we could have gone straight away. Obviously, we took the delay and that is when the weather hit us.

“I was expecting a standing start. Normally we take standing starts now but we opted for rolling starts. On the slick tyre, that was the most surprising."

The red-flag period was enforced by race control for barrier repairs to be undertaken due to the severity of Schumacher's smash in a Haas that broke in two upon impact.

At the time of the German driver's accident, the majority of the field had switched to slick tyres. After the hiatus, all drivers then restarted on the dry compounds.

Albon, who had been a lap down, was permitted to unlap himself before the restart but as he was unable to catch the tail of the field, he could not capitalise on potential opportunities.

"I thought that should have definitely been a standing start because, for me, it ruined my race," added Albon.

“I was 30 seconds back from everyone else by the time I got through the traffic. I’m sure we will have a discussion about it at the next race.”

Additional reporting by Ian Parkes

Related

F1 Driver Transfers

Williams issue official statement over Sainz to Red Bull transfer

• November 7, 2024 08:27

Williams Racing

Who is Franco Colapinto? Logan Sargeant's replacement for the remainder of the 2024 F1 season

• October 25, 2024 16:45