Alexander Albon’s distinct charm and resilience have not only secured his spot in F1 but also fuel his ambitions for a world championship.
Although he was a sought-after figure in the paddock, Alexander Albon has decided to extend his tenure with Williams F1 for several more years.
His popularity among the teams is not solely attributed to his track performance; the Thai driver also projects a positive and warm image – he’s someone people look forward to working with.
“In three words, I would describe myself as happy, calm, and boring!” Albon jokes about his personality in an interview with the official FOM website.
Entering motorsport was not straightforward for the Williams F1 driver… especially since he cried the first time he drove a go-kart!
“I think I was five when I drove a go-kart at Disneyland Paris. It was my first time. And I cried because I hated it!”
“And today, I still cry (laughs)!”
“But when I took my test at the ARKS (Association of Racing Kart Schools), which is essentially your racing licence… I did it at Silverstone and I remember Felipe Massa was with Sauber at the time, with the Petronas Red Bull car, and just hearing that V10 scream… While I was on the track karting, I could hear the sound of the F1 car, and it was quite special.”
Alexander Albon certainly struggled with his ‘first times’: he reveals that he notably failed his driving test.
“I failed the first time, during parking… Did you know? When you parallel park, you need to look over your opposite shoulder in case there’s a cyclist or someone on your right. I didn’t know that.”
In the F1 paddock, Alexander Albon is almost everyone’s friend. But who would be his best friend?
“I would say my coach, Patrick [Harding]. He’s the one I see the most!”
“Outside the paddock, it would be… You don’t know these people! I would say that my girlfriend is also my ‘best friend.'”
“I also have 12 cats, a dog, and two horses. You know, interestingly, Max [Verstappen] has a few cats, so he’s somewhat familiar with the world of cats. He speaks fondly of his cats. If you talk to him about cats, he enjoys it, so I think he would be a responsible pet owner.”
But which driver does Alexander Albon respect the most? If he were a team principal, which driver would he hire?
“Actually, I would be the team boss and I would also be the driver. I would negotiate my own salary.”
World champion in 5 years?
One man has also played a significant role in Alexander Albon’s growth: Franz Tost, the then-manager of Toro Rosso. He gave Albon the best career advice in F1.
“When I arrived in F1, Franz Tost told me not to give a damn (about the criticism). I have not forgotten it. I think it’s something that… When you’re in the spotlight in F1, it’s easy to get absorbed by the narratives that surround you and by the noise. But do what you have to do and don’t give a damn!”
And if he were to offer advice to a young driver aspiring to break into Formula 1?
“Today, there are so many talented drivers. I can only speak for myself, but I think what really got me into F1 was my ability to communicate. People think motorsport is all about setting fast times, but it’s also crucial to get along with people, the key figures, to have that maturity and general knowledge… You know, you need to go to school, and that sort of thing.”
“It’s funny, but a lot of drivers these days drop out of school at a very early age. It set me apart a bit from the others, and I felt it gave me an edge. I mean, if you’re good enough, you’ll make it to F1 anyway, but it’s something that gave me a chance and even a second chance.”
Many believe Alexander Albon has the talent to become a world champion: but where does he see himself in five years?
“In five years… I still want to be in F1, I think I still have age on my side, and I would like to be world champion by then.”
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