Williams added insult to injury when their two drivers collided in the 2026 F1 Dutch Grand Prix.
Williams started the week on a good note, announcing the contract extensions of their two drivers. Reports confirmed that Alex Albon will stay with the Grove-based squad through 2027, while Carlos Sainz Jr signed a multi-year extension.
But they would leave Zandvoort with disappointment, as they failed to secure a point throughout the weekend, both in the Sprint and main races.
And to add insult to injury, Sainz and Albon collided during the latter part of the Sunday race. You can understand if they're both fighting for points, but they were at the back of the pack.
Sainz finished the race last among those who crossed the checkered flag, while Albon had to retire his damaged car.
Sainz apologizes for colliding with Albon
With four laps to go in the 2026 Dutch GP, Albon was on fresher tyres and had caught Sainz, whose hard tyres were heavily worn. Naturally, Albon wanted to overtake his teammate, which he planned to do toward Turn 1.
They went side by side, but Sainz hit a bump under braking, causing him to lock up and fail to brake immediately. He collided with Albon and both Williams cars went down the escape road.
Albon reportedly sustained a floor damage and had to retire his car.
After the race, Sainz issued an apology, taking the blame for the late collision with his teammate.
The Spanish driver would also rue that the car didn't have the pace to score points at Circuit Zandvoort. So, it was extra frustrating that their immediate competitors, Audi and Aston Martin, finished in the points. Williams, who are ninth in the Constructors' championship at the moment, are still ahead by eight points over Aston Martin. However, they are now trailing Audi by five points.
Albon disappointed by strategy call
If Sainz thought that the car never had the pace to score points, Albon had a different thinking. He was in front of Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin in the race, until the team called him to the pits early. Williams became concerned that Alonso might undercut them.
But the early stop put him back into a train of seven cars, which forced Albon to deal with tons of traffic and dirty air. Alonso ultimately finished ninth to score important points for Aston Martin.
With Monza coming up next in the calendar, let's see if Williams can give Albon and Sainz a better performing car.
