Following a standout career in karting that was capped off with a win in the KF3 World Cup and the title in the 2010 KF3 European Championship, then a runner-up finish in the 2011 Karting World Cup, Alexander Albon made his single-seater debut during the 2012 season.

With the backing of the Red Bull Junior Team, the Thai honed his skills in a one year stint with the Epic Racing team. While the results were disappointing, his campaign in the ALPS championship was encouraging. As the lone driver in the squad, he finished in the points six times.

“Going from karting to single-seaters is always a massive step”, admits Alex Albon. “My first year was definitely the worst I ever had in terms of racing. I was by myself in the team. Not having an experienced team mate meant I didn’t know where I was wrong or where I needed to improve.”

“Between the downforce, speed and racing schedule, there was a lot to learn in a short period of time! If I could go back in time, I would have started my training six month to a full year earlier before the start of the collective test! A lot of rookies now do this and it definitely works as there are a lot of fast newcomers in Formula Renault.”

After losing Red Bull’s support at the end of 2012, Alexander Albon spent the 2013 season in rebuilding mode after a stressful winter.

“It was an important phase. At the end of the year, I was very down. I felt dropped so late, it was a worrying time for me. Fortunately I was surrounded by people who really supported me and I am very thankful for that. They were the ones who guided me and helped me to rebuild myself.”

Recruited by the Lotus F1 Junior Team, Alexander Albon joined the KTR team and demonstrated the progress he had made in taking the pole at the Red Bull Ring. A jump start cost him his chances for the win, but he stepped onto the podium for the first time in a NEC event, at the Most Autodrom.

“Being with Lotus, there are a lot of benefits. They help us find the sponsors to race, which is essential. They also offer media support and advice, fitness programmes and camps, as well as on and off track guidance. We are given the best chance and the best conditions to perform at the top!”

“2013 started off a bit slow but ended up well towards the end. The main goal was to score points and we got there by mid-season. From then on, we were getting more competitive, the highlight being Red Bull Ring. Only a jump start got in the way of me winning for the first time, but what was essential was we were always progressing right through to winter testing where we were very quick”

Choosing to stay with KTR for 2014, Alexander Albon is aware of the weight on his shoulders. Among the leaders throughout the pre-season, the native of London seems to have taken his racing to the next level as was shown during the first meeting of the year at Motorland Aragón.

“I chose to stay with KTR because I believe I can win the championship with them. We understand each other very well and we definitely have the pace to do it. We have made a big leap forward compared to last year.

“The key will be consistency,” continues the Lotus protégé. “We also have to ensure to go into every race as prepared as possible. The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 is so close that it’s tenths separating the top half of the field to the bottom. I have to do well for my future, but I want to do well for myself. The main thing is to enjoy it and do the best you can and then see from there!”

Alexander Albon
Born: 23 March 1996 in London (Great-Britain)
Height/ Weight: 1.85m / 67kg
2006-2011 : Karting
2009: Super 1 National KF3 Championship (Champion)
2010: KF3 World Cup (Champion), KF3 European Championship (Champion)
2011: KF1 World Championship (Champion)
2012: Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (38th), Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS (16th)
2013: Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (16th)
2014: Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0