Why Alex Albon was the Best Formula 1 Rookie in 2019

When you think of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 there is always one thing they have in common… A memorable and remarkable breakout moment; Ayrton Senna’s 1984 wet drive in Monaco, Michael Schumacher’s debut at Spa-Francorchamps, Lewis Hamilton’s debut season where he finished 2nd in the standing only one point behind Kimi Raikkonen.

Alex Albon is no different.

After being called up from Red Bull Racing’s junior team, (Torro Rosso) Albon made his debut in week 13 at the Belgian Grand Prix. After taking a grid penalty for exceeding the number of power unit components allowed, he was left starting in P17.

An electrifying start saw him shoot up to P13 by turn 5. Albon remained composed and continued to power his way through the field. By lap 35 (out of 44) Albon had managed to make his way up to P6, a jump up that caught the eyes of all F1 fans. However, he wasn’t finished there. With 9 laps to go Albon was 9 seconds behind veteran Serio Perez. Most pundits and fans alike believed his race was finished and a P6 finish was a great result for the young Thai-Brit. However Albon put in a miraculous 9 laps in which he was faster than Perez by one second a lap, he passed Perez after the famous Eu Rouge corner on the final lap and left F1 fans no choice but to recognise and appreciate his ability behind the wheel.

This race wasn’t Albon’s only major highlight for the season. Going into the penultimate race of the season at the famous Interlagos Circuit in Sao Paolo, Albon was fighting for 6th place in the championship with Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly(Who he replaced at Red Bull). Albon qualified in 6th and drove a composed drive to stay out of trouble amid the retirements of Bottas and the two Ferrai’s. After a late safety car Albon found himself in 2nd place behind teammate, Max Verstappen.

Upon the Restart, Albon came under pressure from soon to be 6 time world champion, lewis Hamilton. Albon defended supremely for the next few laps. But on the 2nd last lap a shunt from Hamilton sent him flying off the circuit and cost him his maiden Formula 1 podium. Whilst the finishing position of 14th was nothing to right home about. The drive caught the attention of all F1 fans and ensured that everyone knew the name, Alexander Albon.

2019 was a season filled with fresh new talents on the grid. With highly touted Formula 2 champion George Russel and 18 year old Lando Norris to name a few.

In the 2018 Formula 2 season, the standings finished with Russel in 1st, Norris in 2nd and Albon in 3rd. The three have drawn many comparisons throughout the 2019 season and there have been many a debate on who is best.

First of all we need to look at Qualifying; Russel had an average qualifying position of 18th on the Grid and was one of only two drivers not to make it out of Q1 this season. Norris in the McLaren managed a respectable 9th place average qualifying and he made it into Q3(the top 10 shootout in qualifying) 2/3 of the time.Albon had an average qualifying position of 11th over the whole season. But after gaining promotion to Red Bull(A car fit to challenge McLaren)with 9 races to go he finished the season with an average qualifying of 8th. This shows that when in equal cars, Albon gets the best of Norris.

One of the most Vital attributes in Formula 1 is a drivers’ ability to hold position, especially off the starting grid. Lando Norris had a disappointing season in that regard. He had a net -20 on opening lap positions which was 3rd worst in F1. Albon faired much better with a net -9. However it must be considered that Norris and Albon both started high up the grid so have a lot more positions possible to have lost. George Russel who averaged a qualifying position of 18th had a net -2.

If you are to take away anything from this article, it should be that Alex Albon is a serious talent and should not be overlooked for his F2 rivals when it comes to future Formula 1 successes.

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