Alex Albon has proven to be a great addition to the grid, a driver with talent and verve that belies his pleasant demeanor.
Always polite, he agreed to dedicate part of an interview he did with me during his rookie season to the unfortunate episode of his mother’s imprisonment for fraud when he was 15. She was sentenced to six years.
While the Netflix cameras were rolling, his Red Bull caretaker asked me to continue his racing career. If I had been more agile my response would have been that without the illegally generated £6m I would have no racing career to speak of.
All that was a long time ago. We chatted outside the Four Seasons hotel in Austin on Wednesday night as he waited, despite all the incongruous things, for his takeout order ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. ‘Alex?’ asked the delivery man. He picked up his food and, after a few selfies for fans, left.
Williams, who rightly signed him to a new contract, is celebrating his 100th race this weekend. It is a well-deserved milestone, although, as he himself acknowledges, it is easier today than in the past.
Alex Albon signed lucrative new contract with Williams after impressing with the British team
Williams celebrates Albon’s 100th career weekend during the Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
Yet he could hardly believe that he would have run more races than Sir Jackie Stewart, who retired on the eve of what would have been his century of grand prix racing.
There were cupcakes in the Williams hospitality area to commemorate Albon’s achievement with lemon curd (one of his favourites) and he talked about how he once wondered if it was all over for him in Formula One when he was pitted too young against the only . -The man destroying reputations, Max Verstappen, at Red Bull.
He was studying a Plan B, in the United States or in Formula E, when the Williams seat became available, helped by the recommendation of his great friend George Russell, who was going to Mercedes.
Albon seized his opportunity with his speed and consistency in midfield or at the back of the pitch, noting that adding personnel to his personal entourage has helped his preparations. He is no longer the one-man band that was hit by Verstappen’s gale.
The key change in your thinking? “I’ve learned that I have to defend myself,” he said. ‘I was too selfless. I’m more selfish now.’
James Vowles, the energetic and thoughtful Williams team principal in his second year in charge, sees Albon as crucial to his task of turning the ship around. At 28 years old, Albon has time on his side, but not oceans.
“I’m three or four years into my prime, or more if you look at Fernando Alonso (he’s still 43), and I think by then we’ll be able to get there,” he added, looking at least towards his next century.
Williams team manager James Vowles sees Albon as crucial to his task of turning the ship around.
Without Donald there is no party?
Donald Trump was the caller the last time F1 was in the United States, in Miami in May. But I’m told he’s not expected in Austin. Preparations for his arrival are involved and the wheels would already be turning if he brought his fist act to town.
That visit to the Dolphins stadium paddock occurred before the two, possibly three, attempts on his life. But as he passed within a few feet of me, I realized how apparently lax the security was.
Of course, precautions were taken behind the scenes and he had some serious thugs with him, stealthily or blatantly armed, but it was nothing compared to the level of protection provided to him when he was in office. Then, he traveled on ‘The Beast’. A vial of his blood was hidden in the long ride behind him.
There was no need for Mystic Meg to reflect on her chances of survival in this latest campaign. And my mind returned to the two most closely watched sporting events I have ever attended. One of them was the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi for the opening ceremony hosted by the then Prince Charles.
The other was Vladimir Putin’s boastful Winter Olympics in Sochi four years later. Snipers everywhere that night.
As for Donald, what are the chances he will attend Las Vegas next month if he regains the presidency in the meantime?
Donald Trump was present at the Miami GP in May, but is not expected to be in Texas this weekend.
“There is nothing to see here,” says Domenicali
Last week I wrote that Stefano Domenicali had not yet signed his contract extension beyond next year. The process is expected to be completed during the summer.
No problem, says Domenicali, everything is under control. But when it comes to F1, there is never a shortage of rivals who would do it the other way around, something I reflected in my report. I wasn’t at all thrilled by the impression it left.
So who should I bump into first in the Heathrow security line on my way to Texas? Mr. Domenicali, who was as charming as always.
Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali has yet to sign a contract extension beyond next year.
The Circuit of the Americas reigns
Of the American races, which one would I spend my own money on? Without a doubt, Austin.
Best track, fantastic small town (the capital of Texas in fact) with live music and decent food.
I sat down on the eve of the inaugural race 12 years ago with Bobby Epstein, CEO, in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel, where so much high-profile action has occurred during Grand Prix weekends in the intervening years. Bobby was with his co-founder, San Antonio business icon Red McCombs, who was already walking with canes at the time but was quite the character.
They wondered what Bernie Eccelstone would think of all this when he arrived a few days later. “He’s a gentleman,” McCombs said. After some financial setbacks, Austin has since achieved impressive success.
Since 2012, the Circuit of the Americas has the honor of hosting the United States Grand Prix
Texas full of stars
There are numerous favorite places for the traveling circus here. John Button, Jenson’s later father and a true paddock personality, would often arrive early in the week to ensure they had as much fun as possible.
Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, on bouncy 6th Street, is a regular haunt. Lewis Hamilton celebrated his title there in 2015, although he didn’t stay long. “It was full of guys,” he reasoned.
For the politically curious, there’s the Driskill. It’s the hotel, with its soaring marble lobby, where Lyndon B Johnson took Lady Bird on their first date long before he became the 36th president.
Speaking of big names, my mind goes back to Eddie V’s, the city’s leading steakhouse, a couple of years ago tonight. Looking over my dining companion’s right shoulder, I saw Hamilton literally running across the floor. A moment later, another slim and famous figure approached.
It was Brad Pitt. The two headed to an adjoining private dining room. And, in the company of other of the most important figures in sport, the Hollywood film, F1, took shape, which will be released next year.
Hollywood star Brad Pitt has regularly attended the race weekend for the past 12 months while filming his F1 movie due out next year.
They are obsessed with the weather too!
They say we Brits are obsessed with the weather. But turning on any American network is a reminder that we are mere amateurs on the subject.
The hot news, so to speak, from the Austin bulletins is that Thursday’s clear morning was just 53°F (less than 11°C), the lowest temperature since April. Much excitement ensued and tables of the highest and lowest temperatures recorded on this date were produced dating back to Texas at least 1898.
The sunglasses came off Thursday as the drivers hit the track despite the unusually mild conditions.
Then there are the ads that praise or denounce Senator Ted Cruz’s anti-abortion stance. Polls have Cruz as a narrow favorite to win a third term, ahead of Democratic rival Colin Allred.
And then the weather returns, with a dry weekend forecast, even for Sunday’s race. Good morning Austin!
