Thai racer Albon gets Toro Rosso F1 seat for 2019

Thai racer Albon gets Toro Rosso F1 seat for 2019

One of the last remaining seats for the 2019 Formula 1 season at Toro Rosso now has a confirmed driver. To be vacated by New Zealander Brendon Hartley, the seat at the Faenza, Italy-based team will now accommodate London-born Thai Formula 2 star Alexander Albon. He will join Daniil Kvyat in Toro Rosso’s 2019 driver line-up, with Pierre Gasly going up to Red Bull.

Albon, 22, has come from a Formula 2 title fight which went all the way to the end-of-season Abu Dhabi race as one of two drivers who stood to win the championship at that point. However, he ended the season third overall behind champion George Russell and second placed Lando Norris. All three will now move on to Formula 1 for the 2019 season, with Russell landing a seat with Williams, and Norris bound for McLaren.

The Thai driver had one season in the Red Bull Junior Programme in 2012 prior to Formula 2, and more recently had appeared set to race in the next season of Formula E. Now that Albon is confirmed for Toro Rosso, he will be the first Thai racer on the premier grid since Prince Bira in 1955.

“The way he is able to overtake many of his rivals in the races shows that he is ready and matured to race in Formula 1. Scuderia Toro Rosso is very much looking forward to 2019, as with Daniil and Alex we have two young, very strong and competitive drivers,” said Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Not Toyota Fan on Nov 27, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    Meanwhile, Malaysia ex F1 driver Alex Yoong …..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
    • WE ARE NUMBER TOOO on Nov 27, 2018 at 11:08 pm

      Atleast we are the 2nd country from Asia that have a F1 driver. Now Thai is the 5th country behind India and Indonesia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
      • Has an Indonesian raced in F1?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • Benard on Nov 28, 2018 at 7:40 am

        Thais already have their F1 driver in 1955, even before malaysia is merdeka. They are the 1st F1 dricees from asia, the 1st japanese F1 driver is only in 1975.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
      • tiadaid (Member) on Nov 28, 2018 at 8:56 am

        Thai had an F1 racer in the 1950s. Prince Birabongse Bhanudej raced for Gordini & Maserati from 1948-1955

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Driver or Typist on Nov 28, 2018 at 9:25 am

        not sure about that. (sic) Prince Bira in 1955

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • donno on Nov 27, 2018 at 5:15 pm

    It is a given, as Redbull origin is from Thailand and the company is half owned by thais.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Lets See on Nov 27, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      When Thai cronies owns overseas sports entities, they win English Premier Leagues and Formula Ones.
      When Malaysian cronies owns overseas sports entities, they get relegated or close shop.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
      • pengayuhbasikal on Nov 28, 2018 at 8:52 am

        Yup. Leicester EPL champ

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Badrul on Nov 28, 2018 at 9:46 am

        Malaysia don’t know how to run F1 or make money from it. Business skills not good with Jaguh Kampung

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
        • Ghani on Nov 28, 2018 at 11:32 am

          That’s the problem when nonM runs their sports outfits. Look at how successful JDT is.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
      • Cardiff City owns by TS Vincent Tan won Championship before they went up to EPL dude. Poor Msia to have a narrow minded citizen like you.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
        • Lets See on Nov 28, 2018 at 11:38 am

          And where are they now, narrow minded citizen? Oh stuck 2nd from bottom, and soon to be in a relegation fight once again. Meanwhile QPR is languishing midtable in League2. And what happened to Lotus Racing F1 btw?

          So was I wrong?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
 

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