Source: REUTERS/CARLA CARNIEL
[Saba Sports News] In a recent media interview, Thai Formula 1 driver
Alexander Albon shared his difficult experience while racing for the Red Bull
Racing. Albon recalled that at the end of 2018, he had signed a contract with
the Nissan FE to participate in the electric formula race with Nissan. However,
due to a shortage of drivers at Toro Rosso (now known as AlphaTauri), Albon
received a call from Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko inviting him to join Toro
Rosso and compete in the upcoming Formula 1 season. Albon mentioned that at
that time, he was just starting out and did not have a manager, so he had to
handle everything on his own, apart from having a coach. This lack of support
made it challenging for him to cope with the media, as he often felt ignored
and faced ridicule from reporters, which caused significant psychological
pressure. Furthermore, Albon explained that transitioning from the junior ranks
to Formula 1 presented difficulties. In the junior categories, speed alone
could often secure championships, and technical feedback was less significant.
However, in Formula 1, the level of competition is much higher, and each
problem has multiple potential solutions. As a driver, it becomes crucial to
find the optimal solution. Albon admitted that he lacked the necessary
experience to provide sufficient technical feedback, which added to the
challenges he faced. These factors took a toll on Albon, both mentally and
physically, and affected his performance on the track. Ultimately, at the end
of the 2020 season, he was demoted to the role of reserve driver and was
replaced by Sergio Perez. This marked the end of Albon’s career at Red Bull
Racing.