Albon explains FP2-ending Singapore issue

Alexander Albon has explained what caused his terminal issue during second practice at the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Williams driver was only able to log a handful of laps before he reported a problem over his radio, before being ushered back into the pits, from which he failed to emerge for the remainder of the session with the team diagnosing a power unit problem.

"We think the issue is battery-related," Albon explained.

"I started my lap and it felt OK but then I just started to lose ERS as I went through. I think we already know the problem so it shouldn’t be too long to solve and replace.

"But around here you want the mileage because it’s such a confidence-building circuit.

"We’re a little bit on the back foot but otherwise, the car hasn’t been feeling terrible."

Albon laments WIlliams’ chances in Singapore

After scoring points at the last two rounds at Zandvoort and Monza, Albon played down Williams’ chances of a repeat result in Singapore.

The Thai-British driver repeated his low confidence in the car’s pace at the Marina Bay Circuit, exclaiming that the FW45’s weaknesses will be exposed by the layout.

"The efficiency and balance, this track, we knew coming into it that it exposes some of the characteristics of our car," he said.

"FP1 wasn’t too bad but realistically, I think we’re the 10th quickest car this weekend. We just need to tidy it up, obviously, there’s not much to learn from FP2.

"We’ll have to do a bit of extra work going into FP3, maybe change the run plan a bit just to test a few more things.

"It’s tight out there in the midfield but we’re a bit behind them so we’ll have to do some work."