Alex Albon

Thai F1 driver Alex Albon is currently driving for the Williams Racing team. Born to Thai British parents Albon prefers to race under the Thai flag. His father, Nigel Albon, a British racing driver, married Kankamol, a Thai national. Albon is a dual Thai-British citizenship holder. Albon, guided by his father, started racing karts at the age of eight. He competed in F1 through half of 2019 as well as the full 2020 F1 season. He completed test driving duties for Red Bull in 2021. Red Bull and Williams came to an agreement that Albon should return to F1 as a driver for Williams from the 2022 F1 season and beyond.

Karting

In 2005, at the age of 8 years, Albon took to competitive kart racing and won the local Hoddesdon Championship. In 2006 Albon started competing in the cadet call of kart racing. That year he won the Kartmasters British Grand Prix and also the Super 1 National Honda Cadet Championship. He followed it up with a second place in the latter championship in 2007. From 2008 to 2010 Albon won various championships in the KF3 class. In 2011, Albon graduated to KF1 class securing second place in both the WSK Euro Series and the CIK-FIA World Championship.  

Alex Albon’s Single Seater Racing Career

Formula Renault 2.0

Albon shifted to single-seater car racing when he joined EPIC Racing in 2013. In his first year as a motor racing driver, Albon finished 38th of 49 competitors in the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup series. The following year he joined KTR to race in the Eurocup Formula 2.0 season. Although Albon could not win a single race out of the 14 races, he did secure one pole position at the Nurburgring. He finished third in the championship.

European Formula 3 

In 2015, Albon joined Signature to race in European Formula 3. His teammate was Dorian Boccolacci. He finished in a creditable seventh place with two pole positions and five podium finishes. He had accumulated 187 points during the championship.

GP3 Series 

Alex Albon also participated in the 2015 post-season testing with ART Grand Prix along with his teammate Charles Leclerc. In 2016 Alex raced for ART in the GP3 Championship. Claiming four wins, Albon finished second only to his teammate in the championship.

Formula 2 Championship

Staying with ART for 2017, Alex was promoted to FIA Formula 2 Championship racing. He raced with Nobuharu Matsushita as his partner. On his debut in Bahrain Albon qualified third on the grid for the sprint race. When Matsushita was penalised several places for mechanical problems, Albon was promoted to second place. But Albon struggled for grip throughout the race finishing seventh. 

In the Spanish Grand Prix Albon lost his lead to Oliver Rowland due to a safety car appearing in response to a stalled car in the tenth round. He eventually finished the feature race in fifth place. In the sprint race, Albon started on the grind. In a running battle with Leclerc, he lost his place to the Monegasque driver. He dropped back later in the race finishing eighth in the sprint.

Albon finished a disappointing 5th and 8th in the feature and sprint races respectively in Monaco. He had started in the 2nd and fifth positions on the grid in the two races respectively. He missed out on the Baku round because of a broken collarbone while on a mountain biking training round. He could not use the over the shoulder safety seat belt because of the injury.

Albon was back for the fifth round in Austria. He qualified in 4th place for the feature race and was promoted to third because a driver ahead of him was disqualified. He finished the race in the fifth position. Albon earned his first podium in F2 in the sprint race when he started in the fourth position and finished the race in the second. He would later win another podium position in Abu Dhabi. Finishing in the second position in the last event of the season, Albon finished the season in the 10th position.

In 2018, Albon signed with DAMS for the opening round and was later confirmed as a full-time driver for the season. He started the season with fourth and thirteenth place finishes in the feature and sprint races in Bahrain respectively. While claiming his first F2 win in the feature race in Baku, Albon finished a distant thirteenth in the sprint. Albon did well to secure two more pole positions at the next two venues in Barcelona and Monaco. In Barcelona, he finished fifth and second in the feature race and the sprint race respectively. In Monaco, Albon had to retire due to collisions in both races.

In Castellet, an engine failure would cause Albon to retire in the feature race. He finished seventh in the sprint race. At the Red Bull Ring, Albon finished fifth in both races. Albon won the feature race at Silverstone, the sprint race at the Hungaroring and the feature race at Sochi. A stalled engine in the feature race in Abu Dhabi cost Albon the championship. He finished fourteenth and eighth in the two races respectively, He ended the FIA F2 2018 season in third place.

Alex Albon (THA) Williams Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, British Grand Prix, Friday 7th July 2023. Silverstone, England.
Alex Albon (THA) Williams Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 11, British Grand Prix, Friday 7th July 2023. Silverstone, England.

Formula One

2019:Toro Rosso/Red Bull

Albon was signed by Nissan e dams as one of its drivers for the 2018-19 Formula E season. But he was released before the beginning of the season when rumours surfaced that he was going to race for Toro Rosso in the 2019 Formula One season. On 26 November 2019, Toro Rosso confirmed that Albon will be one of its drivers for the upcoming season. Alex Albon became the second driver after Prince Bira in 1954 to race in Formula One under the Thai flag.

With Daniil Kvyat as his teammate, Albon scored his first F1 point when he finished 9th in the second race of the season in Bahrain. In China, Albon had to start from the pit lane after a crash in FP 3. He finished tenth in the race and earned the ‘Driver of the Day’ award. Finishing 8th in the Monaco Grand Prix added to Albon’s points tally. Starting with the Candian Grand Prix, where he had to retire, Albon went through four races without gaining any points. 

In the rain-affected German Grand Prix, Albon finished sixth while Kvyat went on to win Toro Rosso’s second ever podium finish. Albon however finished tenth in the Hungarian Grand Prix after a keen battle with his teammate. 

Red Bull announced on 12 August 2019 that Pirre Gasly will interchange places with Alex Albon at Toro Rosso. Albon had to start the first race with Red Bull, The Belgian Grand Prix from the 17th position due to a power unit change. He however recovered from the handicap to finish fifth in the race. A couple of 6th place finishes in Italy and Singapore saw Albon improve on his points tally. A crash in the qualifying at Sochi meant that Albon had to start the race from the pit lane. He came through the field to claim fifth place at the finish line.

In Japan, After he and Max Verstappen had set identical Qualifying times, Albon finished in a career-best 4th place. Two more 5th place finishes were to follow in Mexico and the United States. Albon looked set for a second-place finish at the Brasilian Grand Prix when he had a collision with Lewis Hamilton. Albon finished the race outside points while Hamilton was penalised. In Abu Dhabi, the last race of the season Albon was only able to finish in sixth place. He finished eighth in the standings for the season and was awarded the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award.

2020: Red Bull

For the 2020 F1 season Albon continued to race for Red Bull with Max Verstappen. In a Covid 19 affected season, Albon was again involved in a collision with Lewis Hamilton in the first race in Austria. Albon continued in the race but later retired due to an electrical fault as a result of the collision. Hamilton was later fined. Albon had an unremarkable Styrian Grand Prix finishing 10 secs after Max Verstappen. For some reason, Red Bull said, Albon lacked pace and finished 4th in the race.

Albon was held up in the traffic when lapping in the qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which meant he finished 13th fastest. He finished the race in the fifth position. Esteban Ocon passed Albon on the final lap to relegate him to fifth place at the finish in the Belgian Grand Prix. Qualifying 9th in the Italian Grand Prix, Albon finished the race in 15th position. 

It was at the Tuscan Grand Prix that Albon claimed his maiden Formula One podium position. He passed Daniel Ricciardo on the 51st lap to claim the first podium finish for a Thai driver. Albon was to achieve another podium finish before the end of the season in Bahrain. He finished the 2020 F1 season 7th with 105 points and two podium finishes.

Albon was demoted to the role of a reserve and development driver for the 2021 season. But Albon retained hopes of making a comeback to F1 racing. 

2022: Williams

Alex Albon returned to Formula One in 2022, racing for the Williams team after spending a year as a reserve driver for Red Bull Racing in 2021. Despite joining a team that was struggling with performance, Albon was able to make an impact with his strong performances throughout the season.

Albon’s best result of the season came at the United States Grand Prix, where he finished in sixth place and scored valuable points for the team. He also had a number of other strong finishes throughout the year, including a ninth-place finish in Azerbaijan and a 10th-place finish in Hungary.

Throughout the season, Albon showed impressive pace and consistency, often outperforming his teammate Nicholas Latifi and putting in strong qualifying performances. He also demonstrated his ability to adapt to different track conditions and make strategic decisions during races.

Overall, Albon’s 2022 season was a solid comeback for the driver, and he played an important role in helping the Williams team to improve its performance throughout the year. His strong performances earned him praise from fans and fellow drivers alike, and he looks set to continue making an impact in Formula One in the years to come.

2023: Williams

Having joined Williams in 2022, Albon entered the 2023 season with a point to prove, and he did not disappoint. The season saw him deliver consistent performances that often exceeded the expectations for the Williams team, which was still in the process of rebuilding and moving up the grid.

Throughout the season, Albon showed remarkable progress, with his best performances coming in races where he capitalized on the changing conditions and the misfortunes of others to secure crucial points for the team. His ability to outqualify his rookie teammate in every race and his defensive driving skills were pivotal in helping Williams secure a respectable position in the 2023 F1 Constructors’ Championship.

One of the standout moments for Albon in 2023 was his ability to score points in races where Williams had not traditionally been competitive, indicating his role as a leader within the team and his capacity to extract the maximum from the car. His experience and feedback were invaluable in guiding the development direction of the team, and his urging for improvements in specific areas demonstrates his commitment to pushing Williams forward.

Albon’s performance in the 2023 season solidified his reputation in the sport, as he was often seen battling with and outperforming drivers from more established teams. His season was characterized by speed, patience, and excellent defensive maneuvers, which not only earned him praise from fans and pundits but also made a strong case for his future in Formula 1.

Albon scored points in seven races; Bahrain, Canada, Great Britain, Netherlands, Italy, United States, and Mexico. His best finish was seventh, a result he achieved twice, first in Canada and then in Italy.

How Williams Racing Signed Alex Albon 

Willaims was looking for a driver to replace George Russell while Albon was itching for a path back into F1 Racing. He had finished his duties with Red Bull as a reserve and development driver. Red Bull too was willing to release him to Williams while retaining “future options.” Mercedes, Williams’ engine supplier and Red Bull’s main rival was not too keen on the transfer. Merecedes later relented.

When Mercedes announced that they would absorb George Russell into their works team, Albon’s path to Williams Racing was clear. Red Bull immediately announced that they were releasing Albon. Williams were prompt to announce to the world that Albon will partner Nicholas Latifi for the 2022 F1 season.

Williams boss Jost Capito was “extremely excited” with his new acquisition, “with both drivers bringing a blend of youth and experience” to the team. Alex Albon is back In F1 racing for the 2022 season!

About Alex Albon

Alex Albon Wins

Alex Albon has yet to win a Formula One race as of September 2023. However, he has achieved a number of strong results throughout his career, including podium finishes and points-scoring finishes. Albon’s best result in Formula One came at the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished in third place and scored his first podium finish in the sport. He has also achieved a number of other podium finishes in junior racing categories, including Formula 2 and GP3. Despite not yet winning a race in Formula One, Albon remains a highly regarded driver in the sport, and is considered to have a bright future ahead of him.

Alex Albon nationality – Where is Alex Albon from?

Alex Albon was born on March 23, 1996, in London, England. However, he holds dual citizenship with the United Kingdom and Thailand, as his mother is Thai and his father is British. Albon spent much of his childhood in Thailand and began his racing career there, before moving back to the UK to further his racing career. He has represented Thailand in international motorsport competitions, including the FIA Formula 2 Championship and Formula One.

Alex Albon Parents

Alex Albon’s parents are Nigel Albon and Kankamol Albon. Nigel Albon is British, while Kankamol Albon is Thai. Alex was born in London, England, and holds dual citizenship with the United Kingdom and Thailand. He spent much of his childhood in Thailand, and began his racing career there before moving back to the UK to further his racing career.

Kankamol Albon was previously jailed for fraud, as shown in the Netflix documentary series “F1: Drive to Survive.” Despite this, Alex has spoken about the support he has received from his parents throughout his racing career, and has credited them with helping him to achieve his goals in the sport.

Alex Albon age – How old is Alex Albon?

As of September 2023, Alex Albon is 27 years old. He was born on March 23, 1996, in London, England. Albon began his racing career in karting before moving up to compete in various single-seater racing series, including Formula 2 and Formula One. He has raced for teams such as Toro Rosso, Red Bull, and Williams, and has shown impressive pace and consistency throughout his career. Despite facing some setbacks along the way, Albon remains a highly regarded driver in the world of motorsport, and is considered to have a bright future ahead of him.

Why did Alex Albon lose his Red Bull seat?

Alex Albon lost his Red Bull Racing seat after the 2020 Formula One season. There were a number of factors that contributed to the decision, including:

1) Inconsistency: Throughout the 2020 season, Albon struggled with consistency, often struggling to match the pace of his teammate Max Verstappen. Despite showing flashes of speed and skill, Albon was unable to consistently deliver strong results, which ultimately hurt his chances of retaining his seat.

2) Performance gap: Albon’s performance gap to Verstappen was a major concern for the Red Bull team. Verstappen consistently outperformed Albon throughout the season, often finishing ahead of him in races and qualifying sessions. This made it difficult for Albon to contribute as much to the team’s results as they had hoped.

3) Pressure: Racing for a top team like Red Bull Racing comes with a lot of pressure, and Albon struggled to cope with the expectations and demands of the team. This was evident in his on-track performances, where he often appeared to be struggling with nerves and confidence.

4) Sergio Perez: Red Bull Racing signed Sergio Perez to replace Albon for the 2021 season. Perez had a strong season with Racing Point (now Aston Martin), and was seen as a more experienced and consistent driver than Albon. This made it difficult for Albon to retain his seat, as the team was looking for a driver who could consistently challenge Verstappen and help them compete for the Constructor’s Championship.

Overall, a combination of factors contributed to Alex Albon losing his Red Bull Racing seat, including his inconsistent performances, the performance gap to Verstappen, the pressure of racing for a top team, and the signing of Sergio Perez as his replacement. Despite this setback, Albon remains a talented and highly regarded driver in the world of motorsport, and is expected to continue making an impact in the sport in the years to come.

How much did Alex Albon make with Red Bull?

According to estimates, Alex Albon was believed to have earned approximately £130,000 during his time at Toro Rosso, while his earnings were estimated to be around $500,000 during his stint with Red Bull Racing.

However, Formula One teams typically do not disclose the salaries of their drivers, and this information is usually kept confidential between the team and the driver.

When did Alex Albon get appendicitis? Did Alex Albon have his appendix out?

Alex Albon was diagnosed with appendicitis during the Italian Grand Prix weekend in September 2022. He was forced to withdraw from the race and was transferred to nearby San Gerardo Hospital for treatment. Albon underwent surgery on September 10, 2022, to remove his appendix, but then suffered respiratory failure and was moved into an intensive care unit. He was later discharged from the hospital and began his recovery process.

When did Alex Albon win F2?

Alex Albon has not won the FIA Formula 2 Championship. During his time in F2, he had a competitive season in 2018 where he finished third overall in the championship standings. Albon secured three race wins and six podiums throughout the season, showcasing his talent and speed, but ultimately, he did not clinch the championship title. The 2018 F2 title was won by George Russell.

Why was Albon demoted by Red Bull?

Alex Albon was demoted from his race seat at Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season. The decision was primarily due to his performance relative to his teammate Max Verstappen and the team’s expectations. Throughout the season, Albon struggled to consistently match the pace of Verstappen and was often unable to provide the team with the strong two-car presence needed to challenge for Constructors’ Championship points.

Red Bull Racing is known for its high performance standards and competitive nature, and the team felt that a change was necessary to strengthen their bid for the championships. As a result, they opted to replace Albon with Sergio Perez for the 2021 season, who had more experience and had performed exceptionally well during the 2020 season, including a win at the Sakhir Grand Prix.

Albon remained with Red Bull as a test and reserve driver for 2021, contributing to the team’s development work and staying involved in the F1 paddock. He used this time to continue improving his skills and staying prepared for a potential return to a race seat in the future. His attitude and commitment during this period were widely commended, and he eventually made a return to the F1 grid with Williams Racing in 2022.

What year did Alex Albon leave Red Bull?

Alex Albon left his race seat at Red Bull Racing at the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season. He was replaced by Sergio Perez for the 2021 season but remained associated with the team as a test and reserve driver before moving to Williams Racing for the 2022 season.

How many seasons has Albon been in F1?

As of the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Alex Albon has competed in five seasons of Formula 1. He made his debut in the 2019 season and raced through the 2020 season. After a year as a test and reserve driver for Red Bull in 2021, he returned to a full-time race seat with Williams Racing in 2022. With the 2024 season underway, this marks his sixth season in Formula 1.

What languages does Alex Albon speak?

Alex Albon speaks English and Thai. He was born in London and races under the Thai flag in Formula 1, representing his mother’s heritage. His proficiency in both languages allows him to connect with a wide fan base and engage with media from different countries.

Where was Alex Albon before Red Bull?

Before joining Red Bull Racing in Formula 1, Alex Albon was part of the Nissan e.dams team in Formula E. However, he never raced in Formula E because he was released from his contract to join Toro Rosso (now known as AlphaTauri) in Formula 1 for the 2019 season. Prior to that, Albon competed in the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship, where he finished third overall in the standings.

How many podiums does Alex Albon have with Red Bull?

Alex Albon achieved two podiums with Red Bull Racing in Formula 1. Both podiums came during the 2020 season, at the Tuscan Grand Prix and the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Who is number 23 in F1?

As of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Alex Albon is the driver who uses the number 23 for his race car. He has chosen to stick with this number, which he also used during the first phase of his F1 career.

How long is Alex Albon’s contract?

Alex Albon’s contract with Williams is set to last until the end of the 2024 F1 season. He secured a multi-year deal with the team when he joined them for the 2022 Formula 1 season.

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