Albon happy with 'best' possible Sochi result

  • Published on 29 Sep 2019 15:33
  • comments 5
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Alexander Albon says he pleased after achieving what he believes to be the maximum possible result from the Russian Grand Prix.

After starting from the pit lane after having a new spec floor fitted following his crash in qualifying on Saturday, the Thai-British driver battled through the field to take home a fifth-place finish - matching his career-best result.

Albon admits that he did benefit from the virtual safety car that was called when Sebastian Vettel retired from the race, but is pleased to have come through after enduring an "immense" loss of downforce in the dirty air. 

"I'm happy after a tough Saturday," Albon stated. "That was really the best we could have done. I was a little bit fortunate with the safety car but the pace was there so I'm happy. Coming from Saturday, it was good for the team and everyone to do a good job. 

"This track, the way it's designed, when you're following in a train it really feels a lot worse than other tracks because it's almost like a tunnel system where all the air is stuck in one place, a little like a street track.

"The downforce loss was immense when following, it just meant that I couldn't do the overtakes like I was used to in Spa and Monza, I couldn't out-brake people. But once there was one driver by himself that you could attack, it was no problem."

In order to improve further, Albon believes he needs to find the right rhythm earlier in the weekend in order to maximise the result later in the weekend. 

"It feels at the moment, always FP1 is a struggle and it gets better through the weekend," he said. "On Sunday it's normally more or less okay, I just need to get into that rhythm and speed earlier in the weekend.

"It'll come, I just need more laps. It was a tough weekend, truthfully, but I'm happy with the progress."

Replies (5)

Login to reply
  • f1ski

    Posts: 726

    Amazing performance by Albon a crash after looking so uncomfortable all weekend . His passes were very impressive.

    • + 0
    • Sep 29 2019 - 15:50
    • I actually thought he was very average again. I think he was extremely lucky with the VSC and his pit stop. That being said, I think he is improving

      • + 0
      • Sep 29 2019 - 23:04
    • abhidbgt

      Posts: 283

      I agree f1ski his race craft feels better than his qualifying.

      • + 0
      • Sep 30 2019 - 03:54
    • Agreed, I saw nothing average with this recovery.

      • + 0
      • Sep 30 2019 - 08:17
  • I hope he pulls off a good one lap by the end of the season.

    • + 0
    • Sep 30 2019 - 22:14

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 21:54

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 21:54

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Williams
  • Points 270
  • Podiums 2
  • Grand Prix 111
  • Country Thailand
  • Date of b. Mar 23 1996 (29)
  • Place of b. Londen, Thailand
  • Weight 74 kg
  • Length 1.86 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar