Breaking news
Formula 1 Australian GP
No-nonsense Albon "really impressed" Toro Rosso in Melbourne
Toro Rosso technical director Jody Egginton says that the Italian team was impressed by Alex Albon on his Formula 1 debut, describing the Thai-British driver’s approach as “not emotional” and “methodical.”
Adam Cooper
Published: Mar 21, 2019, 5:43 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Albon, who had not driven an F1 car until last month’s shakedown, qualified 13th in Melbourne, ahead of experienced teammate Daniel Kvyat.
He finished 14th in the race, having suffered from brake overheating issues early on.
Although he was well outside the points, the team was pleased with how he tackled his first weekend.
“He did a really solid job,” Egginton told Motorsport.com. “At the start of the race he had to manage his brakes for a while, but he bounced back from that. He learned a lot in terms of tyre management, and how to run the race.
“It’s probably the first time he’s experienced blue flags as well. He’s done a tidy job and given a good account of himself, and at least as solid as some of the other rookies.
“He’s good, he’s methodical, he’s not emotional, and he’s learning so quickly. I’m really impressed so far. I’m sure we can carry on with that trajectory. He knows Bahrain, so I expect another step there.”
Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost was also delighted with the newcomer’s progress.
“Alex did a surprisingly good job, because we must not forget that it was his first time in Melbourne,” Tost told Motorsport.com.
“He nearly managed to come into Q3, because he was only a few hundredths behind. In the race he made a very good start, and had a good first session with the option tyres.
"He drove the race without any mistakes, and that’s also very promising for the next races.”
Albon himself said that the biggest lesson he learned in Australia was how hard to push on the tyres, especially when fighting with other cars.
“In F2 maybe you're driving at 90 percent in a race to save the tyres, in F1 it's more like 95 percent, so you can push a bit more,” he explained.
“The thing is, when you’re following cars, it’s really bad, the tyres... So battling is really difficult, and you can’t spend more than two laps in a row really without overheating them.
“Following cars is actually better than I expected, and I think part of that was probably because of the new regulations. But it’s still not easy to overtake.
"I think Melbourne is obviously not the easiest example for this. But it’s more, as I said, when you're battling with other cars, just maintaining your tyres and keeping them cool, it’s quite difficult to do.”
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL34, leads Alexander Albon, Toro Rosso STR14
Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article F1 teams can't "run our businesses" without 2021 clarity
Next article FIA working on start lights solution for Bahrain GP
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
More from
Alex Albon
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
Formula 1
Formula 1
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
More from
Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson rues Brazilian GP qualifying mistake despite third-place grid start
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Liam Lawson rues Brazilian GP qualifying mistake despite third-place grid start
Racing Bulls promises "right decision" as Liam Lawson's F1 future remains in doubt
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
Racing Bulls promises "right decision" as Liam Lawson's F1 future remains in doubt
Latest news
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
1 h
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
3 h
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
7 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe