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

  • Published on 26 Nov 2019 11:04
  • comments 0
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

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

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Williams
  • Points 240
  • Podiums 2
  • Grand Prix 105
  • Country TH
  • Date of b. Mar 23 1996 (28)
  • Place of b. Londen, TH
  • Weight 74 kg
  • Length 1.86 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar