Eddie Jordan expressed his dissatisfaction with Williams Racing’s downfall after the lack of a spare car at the Australian GP. The Grove-based team had a disastrous weekend, with one of their drivers involved in a major accident during practice, causing irreparable damage to the chassis before the race. With no spare chassis available, team principal James Vowles made the decision to leave the driver out and give his car to Albon. This decision has been criticized by former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who voiced his concerns about the state of the Grove-based team.
Williams Racing, which was acquired by Dorilton Capital in 2020, has struggled to keep up with their rivals in terms of technology at their headquarters, as publicly acknowledged by Vowles. This has put the team at a disadvantage. Jordan emphasized how the once prestigious team is now at the back of the grid, recalling the days when renowned drivers like Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, and Damon Hill raced for Williams.
The 76-year-old Jordan expressed his frustration with the downfall of the Grove-based team, questioning what has happened to Williams. He also mentioned the importance of having Patrick Head, one of the team’s founders, involved in leadership. However, Head currently spends most of his time in Sardinia, Italy. Jordan believes the team needs someone from their glory days to lead them. He finds it unacceptable that a team with such a rich history like Williams is competing in the third round of a season without an additional chassis.
James Vowles’ decision to give Albon’s car to the driver who crashed his own chassis has been criticized from various quarters. Furthermore, it is recognized that the atmosphere within the Grove-based team is far from ideal due to the overall situation.
Eddie Jordan expressed his surprise to see Williams in such a vulnerable position and expressed his desire to hear the team’s response. He believes the situation is critical and that James Vowles should provide an explanation to the fans and the paddock.
Currently, Williams is racing against time to repair Albon’s chassis for the next race. It is likely that the Grove-based team does not have a spare chassis for the fourth race of the season either. However, Vowles and his team are working tirelessly to ensure that such a significant issue does not occur in the future.