REPORT: A Q3 Double Down Under

Atlassian Williams Racing started the 2025 season in style by taking both FW47 cars to Q3 in Melbourne.

Alex Albon qualified a strong P6 after setting a 1:15.737 on his final run, while Carlos Sainz ended his first Williams Quali in P10 with a 1:16.062.

With the threat of rain still hanging over tomorrow's Australian Grand Prix, two cars in the top 10 opens the door for a point-scoring start to the season.

The two Williams drivers were tightly matched once again throughout Saturday. Alex and Carlos traded bragging rights for the fastest FW47 in FP3, Q1, Q2, and Q3.

Both cars went for a push-cool-push strategy in Q1 after scrubbed soft tyres continued to give grip in FP3, where our duo finished P6 and P7.

Carlos went out for a quieter final run in a window when other drivers remained in the pit lane, while Alex navigated the traffic slightly later, and both reached Q2 in an incredibly tight session.

A spin from Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton briefly looked like it might affect Carbono in Q2, but the Briton got back running in time for Alex and Carlos to grab P7 and P9 unimpeded on their hot laps.

A culmination of all our efforts in Australia – and the winter – saw Alex take P5 in Q3's final runs before Yuki Tsunoda pipped him down to P6.

"This feels so different from last year," said Alex as he returned to the pit lane. "Everything feels so different."

Ever the team player, Carlos summarised his Q3 by saying:

"Good job, guys. Congrats to Alex. For me, a bit more difficult.

"A few things to learn from that. Let's go from here."

That was something James Vowles echoed in his reply to our new driver over the radio:

"Carlos, I know you'll be disappointed. We've all got some cleaning up to do.

"We didn't put you in the best position. We'll come back strong in the race. I'm confident in that. Good job."

Speaking after the session, Alex shared his detailed thoughts, by saying, "We were aiming for the top ten, so P6 is fantastic and I’m very happy.

"We have a great car, easy to drive, predictable; it feels like a much more driveable car this year.

"It’s really tight out there and it’s going to be a dogfight in the midfield this year, but this is a great place for us to start.

"It also feels like Qualifying is not even the best bit of the car; where we’ve made the biggest improvement is the race pace. We’ve done some big things back at Grove.

"We have paid attention to this year, we are starting on the right weight and we are in a much healthier place than we were this time last year.

"When I look at where we were a year ago up to now, we’re in a completely different position.

"I’m very proud of the team today and there are good vibes. We’re expecting rain tomorrow and nobody has done a lap on the Intermediate or Wet tyre so let’s see what happens."

"First of all, I’m very happy for the entire team, for Alex, and for myself," said Carlos after his maiden competitive outing in Williams colours.

"It’s my first Qualifying with Williams and we have achieved our main objective of getting into Q3 with both cars.

"The hard work that everyone has done during the winter has paid off with a great step forward and I’m proud of the team.

"On my side, I had a bit of a scrappy Qualifying to be honest. However, I’m not concerned.

"There are many things that I still need to understand from this car and I’m sure better laps will come soon!

"Tomorrow, under rain, I will also have to adapt quickly but I’m excited about the race. We will try to maximise every opportunity.

"This is only the beginning!"

Team Principal James Vowles shared his delight, too:

"What a fantastic day for the team.

"I’m really pleased for Alex, he put in a really great lap out there and delivered when it mattered.

"I’m disappointed for Carlos – we know there is more in it but ultimately, we weren’t clean on execution.

"The great news is it’s a good place to start, the weather coming in tomorrow will provide plenty of opportunity and the team has renewed energy."