Official: Albon confirmed at Toro Rosso!
The last available seat for 2019 has been filled. Alexander Albon has been confirmed as the second driver for Toro Rosso alongside Daniil Kvyat.
After Lando Norris, Antonio Giovinazzi, and George Russell, it’s Alexander Albon’s turn to join the ranks of Formula 1 next year, thus taking the last vacant seat and becoming the fourth rookie of 2019 to reach the top tier of motorsports.
The confirmation of the second runner-up in the Formula 2 championship was only a matter of time, and his release in Formula E by Nissan e.Dams clearly echoed a potential contract with the small Italian team.
The Anglo-Thai driver had joined the Red Bull junior driver program in 2012, but he lost their support at the end of the year following a very disappointing first season in single-seaters. The rest of his career in the lower categories was a long dry spell in terms of results before this season where he managed to secure 4 wins.
In 2019, Albon will be the first Thai driver to take part in a Formula 1 Grand Prix since Prince Bira… in 1954! The latter had managed to score 8 points in the championship with two 4th places at the 1950 Swiss Grand Prix and the 1954 French Grand Prix as his best result.
The director of Toro Rosso, Franz Tost, sees this new pair of drivers in a favorable light: Alexander had an impressive Formula 2 season in 2018. He won four races and finished third in the championship. The way he manages to overtake many of his rivals during races shows that he is ready and has the maturity to race in Formula 1. Scuderia Toro Rosso is eagerly anticipating 2019: with Daniil and Alex, we have two very strong and competitive young drivers.
Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda is pleased to announce that Alexander Albon will drive for the team in 2019 alongside Daniil Kvyat
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— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) November 26, 2018
