The AT&T Williams team returned from the penultimate round of this year's Championship without points despite fielding a competitive car. Unfortunately race performance was compromised by the first mechanical failure of the season when the gearbox in Nico Rosberg's FW31 failed; the gearbox, which was on its fourth race, has proven to be dependable technology and the team are confident that following a full strip and analysis in the factory tonight that the solution will be straightforward; nevertheless, for a second race in a row, the team has been unable to capitalise on a strong points potential. Nico's team-mate, Kazuki Nakajima suffered a collision on lap 30, not quite reaching the halfway point in the race. However, despite not scoring any points, AT&T Williams retain 6th place in the Constructors' Championship.

The team started Friday's practice sessions with standard preparatory work covering the usual set-up work, systems checks, tyre comparisons and race simulations while also evaluating some new aero parts including another new front wing assembly. The sessions took place in drizzling rain, making for greasy track conditions.

The weather was a more significant factor on Saturday, with torrential rain lashing the circuit leaving standing water on the track for qualifying. The deluge disrupted the session with lengthy red flag incidents in both Q1 and Q2 until the weather cleared. However, the FW31 set-up the team had opted for performed very capably in the wet conditions, with Nico completing both Q1 and Q2 with the fastest times. Q3 was postponed for an hour, but the change in the weather to drier conditions reduced the FW31's set-up advantage, with Nico and Kazuki in P7 and P9 but ensuring Kazuki joined his team-mate in the top ten for the fourth time this season.

Sunday's weather was by contrast dry and sunny. Despite the improved conditions, a series of incidents at the start of the race promoted Nico and Kazuki, with Rosberg claiming a place on merit off the line and following the first lap incidents, had climbed to P3. An early safety car period saw both drivers drop a position on the re-start, but both were positioned for points finishes when both cars retired within four laps of each other, Rosberg on lap 27 and Nakajima on lap 31. Despite a high speed impact, Kazuki has unharmed in his accident.

Source: Williams F1