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Albon not yet used to F1 as first race of the year approaches

Albon not yet used to F1 as first race of the year approaches

12-03-2019 17:50
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Jake Williams-Smith

Toro Rosso's newest driver Alexander Albon has admitted he is not yet completely ready for the season-opening race in Melbourne.

The Anglo-Thai driver joins Toro Rosso after a strong season in Formula 2, finishing third and only a handful of points behind McLaren's Lando Norris.

Albon, who hadn't driven a Formula 1 car before winter testing in Spain this season, admitted that driving an F1 car was not yet "natural".

"I am progressing quickly," he admitted to France's Auto Hebdo.

"Now it's all about using all of the tools at my disposal. There is a lot to be gained in terms of tyre management and pressing buttons at the right time.

"Things have to become natural and instinctive, which is not the case yet. My engineer still has to suggest things to me, but I feel better and better.

"I also need confidence in fast corners, and to find the right compromise between attacking and not attacking. Race management requires practice. Melbourne is going to be a life-sized rehearsal."

Albon will be up against the returning Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso this season after the Russian was welcomed back into the Red Bull fold having spent a year as Ferrari simulator driver in 2018.