EXCLUSIVE: Alex Albon Emotional Message About His Difficult...

Albon Reflects on Milestone 100th F1 Race Ahead of US Grand Prix

Five years after making his Formula 1 debut with Toro Rosso, Alex Albon is preparing to reach a significant career milestone at the 2024 United States Grand Prix: his 100th race start. In a reflective interview with F1.com, the Thai driver shared his thoughts on the highs and lows of his journey so far, how it feels to race alongside his childhood rivals, and what he hopes for the future.

Albon, now 28, is currently in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the Gulf Speed Festival, where he’s set to perform a demo run in a Williams FW45 as part of the team’s partnership with Gulf Oil. As he prepares for the event, Albon admits that driving an F1 car outside a traditional circuit offers a unique challenge. “It’s nice to do things outside of a race track and engage more with the fans,” he says, though he admits that performing tricks like donuts and burnouts isn’t something F1 drivers practice regularly.

Reflecting on the 100-race Milestone

For Albon, reaching 100 races is a major achievement, though he acknowledges the mixed feelings that come with it. “100 races doesn’t take long to achieve, but it’s still a big milestone,” he says. Unlike some of his peers who’ve had smoother paths in the sport, Albon’s journey has been marked by ups and downs. “My journey has been not as smooth as maybe other drivers,” he reflects.

Despite nearing 100 races, Albon still sees himself as one of the relatively inexperienced drivers on the grid. “Most drivers on the grid have already reached 100 races,” he points out, noting that while he will reflect on his career so far, the milestone won’t bring any trophies. He jokes that maybe when he reaches 150 races, he’ll look back more fondly — with some grey hairs.

The Memorable First Race

Albon made his F1 debut at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, a race that holds special significance for him. Initially set to race in Formula E that year, his last-minute switch to F1 came as a surprise. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” he says of his first race, where he finished 14th. “It’s the race I remember the most, not just because of the racing, but the emotion of finally being in Formula 1.”

He also recalls a travel mix-up that made his debut even more memorable. “They put me on a first-class flight to Melbourne by mistake,” Albon laughs. “I barely flew business class, so I thought, ‘Wow, this is F1, this is amazing!’”

Competing with Childhood Rivals

Albon isn’t alone in hitting major career milestones; he made his F1 debut in the same race as George Russell and Lando Norris. Having battled these rivals through the junior ranks, he says it’s “surreal” to still be racing against them in F1 today. “There’s one thing about becoming a Formula 1 driver, and another about staying in Formula 1,” Albon explains, referencing his own year-long absence in 2021, when he was dropped by Red Bull.

While Albon doesn’t actively compare his career to that of his contemporaries, he acknowledges the significance of racing alongside them. “It’s amazing that we’re all still here,” he says, mentioning other drivers he grew up competing against, like Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and Carlos Sainz. “It feels surreal in some ways.”

As for sharing his 100th race celebration with his peers, Albon jokes that he’ll make sure his anniversary cake is “the biggest and the tastiest” since he’s the last of the group to reach the milestone.

Albon’s F1 journey has been far from straightforward. After being promoted to the Red Bull team halfway through his rookie season in 2019, he was replaced by Sergio Perez for 2021. However, he returned to the grid with Williams in 2022 and has since thrived. When asked about his most memorable races so far, Albon names three: his first race in Australia, his first podium finish at Mugello in 2020, and his return to F1 with Williams at the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix.

His first podium finish at Mugello was particularly special, though Albon admits it came with mixed emotions. “It was more of a weight off my shoulders than a moment to savor,” he says, reflecting on the challenging season. Still, seeing the Thai flag behind him on the podium was “an amazing feeling.”

Albon’s return to F1 in 2022 also stands out, particularly his performance in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite low expectations, Albon managed to make it into Q2, which he describes as a pivotal moment in proving that he belonged in F1.

Coping with Pressure and Leadership at Williams

With his long-term future at Williams secured, Albon says he’s been able to enjoy his time in F1 more. “It’s a real luxury in Formula 1 to have a contract that’s not ending at the end of the year,” he admits, explaining that the pressure to perform is different when you’re fighting for your seat every season. He also highlights the importance of teamwork at Williams, where collaboration is key to the team’s progress. “We’re not in a position where we can be selfish,” he says, adding that his role involves helping the team understand the car and develop future models.

Albon’s experience at Red Bull, where his role was simply “to perform,” has given him valuable insights into how to approach leadership at Williams. “I enjoy the role,” he says. “We’re a team that’s on the up, and having that open relationship helps our success happen quicker.”

Looking to the Future

As Williams continues to make progress, Albon has his sights set on catching Alpine and Haas in the constructors’ standings. “The goal is definitely forwards,” he asserts. While the team has outperformed Haas in recent races, Albon believes there’s still work to be done to consistently beat midfield teams like Aston Martin. He’s also hoping for some chaotic races in the coming weeks, particularly at unpredictable circuits like Brazil and Mexico, where Williams could capitalize on unusual conditions.

Though Albon doesn’t have any specific plans to commemorate his 100th race, he reveals that his car will feature a special commemorative logo during the Austin weekend. He also hints at a possible celebratory helmet design, though admits he’s been too busy to finalize it. “Normally, a helmet is planned,” he says with a laugh. “But I’ve been a bit busy the last few weeks!”

As for the next 100 races, Albon is optimistic. With a multi-year contract at Williams, he hopes that by the time he reaches his 200th race, the team will be fighting for podiums. “I’m excited to see what the future holds,” he says. “I’m hoping that at my 200th GP, we’re talking about fighting for podiums — and a bigger cake!”