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James Vowles confirms urgent investigation into "bitterly disappointing" double-DSQ in Singapore

Williams Formula 1 team principal James Vowles has released a statement after both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz were disqualified from the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session. The Briton confirmed that the Grove outfit has launched an urgent investigation into how this happened.

After Albon and Sainz initially qualified in 12th and 13th on the grid at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the FIA found their cars to be in breach of technical regulations regarding the DRS.

"During post-qualifying scrutineering, the rear wing of the car was found to be noncompliant with the Technical Regulations," the FIA stated.

"The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked. The DRS in the state of deployment exceeded the maximum limit of 85mm on both sides of the rear wing outer area."

Vowles has since released the following statement: "During FIA scrutineering after Qualifying, the rear wings on both our cars failed DRS slot gap checks.

"As a result, Alex and Carlos have been disqualified from Qualifying for tomorrow’s Singapore Grand Prix. This is bitterly disappointing for the team and we are urgently investigating how this happened.

"At no point were we seeking a performance advantage and the rear wings had passed our own checks earlier in the day, but there is only one measurement that matters and we fully accept the FIA ruling.

"We have a car capable of scoring points here this weekend and will do everything we can to fight from the back of the grid tomorrow, and will immediately review our processes to make sure this doesn’t happen again."

As a result, Albon and Sainz will start the Singapore Grand Prix from the back of the grid.

Mercedes' George Russell secured pole position and Red Bull's Max Verstappen will start beside him on the front row in second.

Photos from Singapore GP - Practice & Qualifying

George Russell, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO of Stake F1 Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Graeme Lowdon, Team Principal of Cadillac Formula 1 Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, George Russell, Mercedes

Singapore GP - Saturday, in photos

Formula 1
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