Williams has revealed that they retired Robert Kubica in order to preserve the team's parts ahead of a gruelling flyaway schedule for the remainder of the season.
Kubica was pulled into the garage on lap 28, one lap after team-mate George Russell crashed out under the Virtual Safety Car due to an apparent brake failure on his FW42.
The Pole had initially stopped under the first safety car to clear the wreckage of Haas' Romain Grosjean with an eye to go to the end of the race.
"This weekend has been very disappointing," said Kubica. "You always have to try your best with what you have, and this is what I was trying to do.
"After George’s DNF, the team decided to stop my car, to take care of the parts that we have on the car. We are not in an easy situation and Japan is around the corner."
With five races still remaining in the 2019 season and resources likely being dedicated to their 2020 car moving forward, Williams felt it would be best to conserve their current pool of parts to ensure they can complete the current campaign.
Dave Robson, Senior Race Engineer added: "Today was tough and deeply frustrating for the whole team.
"We took the opportunity behind the early safety car to pit Robert twice aiming to complete his race using only Option tyres.
"Meanwhile we were able to leave George out and run long until a Virtual Safety Car provided an opportunity for a cheap pitstop on to the Qualifying tyre.
"Unfortunately, an issue shortly after the subsequent restart caused George to lock a front wheel, damaging the car further.
"We opted to retire Robert soon afterwards in order to conserve parts ahead of the intense flyaway races which end the season. It’s a very disappointing way to end two weeks on the road.
