Albon had 'similar feelings' during Toro Rosso and Red Bull debuts

Alexander Albon said that he went through a similar thought process when he made his debuts for Toro Rosso and Red Bull this year.

Albon was signed up to Toro Rosso for the start of the 2019 season, replacing Brendon Hartley at the Red Bull junior squad, despite having never driven an F1 car before.

After half a season in the Toro Rosso, Albon was promoted to Red Bull ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix in place of Pierre Gasly, who was demoted back to Toro Rosso amid a spell of poor performances.

Albon impressed Red Bull enough to secure a full season alongside Max Verstappen for the 2020 campaign, and almost scored his maiden podium in Brazil last time out before a collision with Lewis Hamilton.

Speaking about his debuts for the two teams this year, Albon says he went through similar feelings when he stepped into both cars for the first time. 

"It was similar feelings, similar thoughts processes in terms of t's more just question marks like 'How am I going to do or fare?' with the big boys," Albon said. 

"It was the same kind of process before the season even started. Because I've already gone through it, I felt more comfortable the second time, in Spa.

"It's kind of that thing, it's a lot of thinking but once you step in the car and put your helmet on, it all goes away and you focus on your driving."

'Speed only comes with getting comfortable with team'

Albon added that the speed only comes when a driver gets comfortable inside the car and with the team that surrounds him - something that he experienced twice in 2019. 

"You're never going to feel completely settled before you drive the car for the first time," the Thai-British driver admitted. "I don't think that exists, but it was very natural.

"The more you feel comfortable with the team, the more of the lap time that comes. It's only normal when you first jump into the car to feel that way. 

"Once you get to know the team and the car, that's really where the performance comes from and you start to be able to push and the team in the direction that you want to go."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

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 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Williams
  • Points 313
  • Podiums 2
  • Grand Prix 129
  • 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