A Star is Born: Oscar Piastri
July 22, 2024
Born in London but racing under the Thai flag, Alexander Albon’s love for motorsport started early – and yes, his very first word was Ferrari. While Schumacher inspired his dreams, it was another Italian team that gave him his F1 breakthrough.
Albon showed his talent early, narrowly missing out on the 2016 GP3 title to Charles Leclerc and later pushing the 2018 Formula 2 championship to the final races, all while forging a strong friendship with George Russell on track.
He made the leap to Formula 1 in 2019 alongside Lando Norris, initially impressing with Toro Rosso before earning a mid-season promotion to Red Bull Racing. Partnering Max Verstappen as a rookie, Albon held his own, scoring top-six finishes in eight of nine races and proving he could mix speed with composure.
Despite being dropped from Red Bull in 2020, Albon remained in the fold as a test and reserve driver, keeping his name alive for future opportunities. That chance came in 2022 with Williams, where he has cemented a reputation as a quick qualifier and intelligent racer.
Friendly and easygoing off-track, Albon’s popularity among his peers is notable, but the real challenge is always on the circuit. Now with a second F1 chance in hand, the Thai-British driver aims to show the full extent of his talent and make every lap count.