Toro Rosso completes its 2019 line-up with Alexander Albon

Scuderia Toro Rosso announces today that Alexander Albon will drive for the team in the 2019 Formula 1 season, alongside Daniil Kvyat. It’s the second programme in 2019 for Albon because he was already announced as Nissan driver in the fifth Formula E Championship season.

The 22-year-old British/Thai driver was one of the front-runners in the 2018 Formula 2 Championship, fighting for the title until the last round and finishing third in the points at the end of the season. In 2019, Albon will race again against his main F2 rivals George Russell and Lando Norris, who joined Williams and McLaren respectively.

Alex Albon joined the Red Bull programme in 2012 and then again in 2016, when he finished second in GP3 Series, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. Although born in London (UK,) Albon races under the Thailand flag. It means that he would be the first Thai driver on the Formula 1 grid since Prince Birabongse in the early 1950s.

Alex Albon finished third in the 2018 Formula 2 Championship

Franz Tost, Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda Team Principal, commented: “Alexander had an impressive Formula 2 season in 2018. He won four races and finished the Championship third. 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.”

Alex Albon said: “It’s such an amazing feeling to know that I’m in Formula 1 next year. Throughout my single seater career, I went through a few ups and downs. I was dropped by Red Bull in 2012, so from then I knew my road to Formula 1 was going to be a lot harder. I worked really hard and tried to impress every time I got in the car, and I have to say a big thank you to Red Bull and Dr Marko for believing in me and giving me a second chance. I’ve always been motorsport mad and since I first got in a car it’s been my dream to be in Formula 1. To be given this opportunity is just incredible.”