Williams takes back a few points from Force India
In the battle for 4th place in the constructors' championship, the Williams team regained a slight advantage over its rivals Force India, thanks to Felipe Massa's 7th-place finish. But the race was eventful and marred for Grove's team, who could have hoped for better.
For this round on American soil, the Williams team was determined to fight for every point in pursuit of fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, currently held by the Force India team. Thanks to the retirements of the Ferrari and the Red Bull, combined with a good strategy, Felipe Massa found himself in a strong position to score points, while his teammate Valtteri Bottas tangled with Nico Hülkenberg at the start, ending up only in 16th place.
Felipe Massa made a good start, from eighth position on the grid, to occupy sixth position coming out of the first corner.
He himself acknowledges his very good start and beginning of the race: « I had a very good start, and the race was going fantastically. I avoided incidents at the first corner and overtook two cars. Our pace was really good, and I managed to widen the gap with those chasing me. »
Unfortunately, this good start to the race was disrupted by the virtual safety car, which caused him to lose the cushion of seconds gained and several positions.
« I am really unlucky with the virtual safety car because I had a nine-second lead, then Carlos Sainz came out in front of me, gaining time and points. »
Towards the end of the race, it was against Fernando Alonso that the Williams driver had to concede defeat due to a tough overtaking maneuver by the Spaniard, which resulted in a puncture. He managed to secure seventh place and six points for his team but remained somewhat bitter: « In the end, Fernando dove into the line I was taking and hit my car, causing a puncture. It destroyed any chances I had of finishing the race in sixth or even fifth position. »
If Felipe Massa scored points on Texan soil, the course of the race was compromised from the start for his teammate Valtteri Bottas. Indeed, the latter was hit by Nico Hülkenberg at the first corner at the start, causing a puncture. He finished the race in 16th place.
He could only make a poor impression in his statements: « It was a very disappointing day today. I went to the inside at the first corner and had the right line to take the corner, but at the apex of the corner, Nico Hülkenberg touched me, and I got a puncture. »
This incident was going to have consequences on the subsequent performances of the Williams, as its single-seater was damaged: « This also damaged the car’s floor and I lost a lot of downforce for the rest of the race. »
Nevertheless, the Finn is not letting himself be discouraged and is pleased that the Mexican Grand Prix is already this week, to try to erase this disappointing weekend for him.
« I am happy that there is another race quickly next weekend in Mexico to try to forget this one. »
He concludes, nonetheless, on a more positive note since the team does not leave empty-handed in terms of points: « The positive point is that we have slightly closed the gap with Force India, but we need to ensure that we are able to score points with both cars. »
In the championship, Williams gains two points on the Force India team and is now eight points behind them, compared to ten before the race.
