Alex Albon has officially been confirmed to join Daniel Kvyat at Toro Rosso. After competing in Formula 2 this current season and finishing 3rd overall, he impressed the Red Bull bosses and has therefore been signed to join Red Bulls junior team, Toro Rosso. With this news, we can also confirm that New Zealander, Brendon Hartley, will be out of Formula 1 next season.
Albon was set to race in Formula E next season but has now been signed up to race in Formula 1, making him the second Thai to be on the grid since Prince Bira in 1955. Alex's Red Bull career hasn't been easy after being dropped by the junior programme in 2012.
In a statement released earlier today, 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." He continued with: “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."
Franz Tost, Toro Rosso's team principle, also stated “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.”
The 22 year old will be seen on the grid in Melbourne in his blue and red overalls next to the ever returning, Daniil Kvyat. The 2019 season will definitely be a shake up of the current grid with a grand total of 6 drivers leaving the grid! Fernando Alonso, Stoffel Vandoorne, Marcus Ericsson, Sergey Sirotkin, Esteban Ocon and Brendon Hartley, they will be missed.
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