Alex Albon responds to Fernando Alonso’s tough comment about the drivers on today’s F1 grid.
Alex Albon said that his battle with Fernando Alonso at the US Grand Prix was “fun and fair,” after Alonso hinted that some drivers at the back of the grid aren’t up to the highest standards.
On the first lap at Turn 11, Albon bumped into Alonso’s car, causing some damage to the Aston Martin’s side. After the race, Alonso suggested his team needs to improve and start higher up because, in his words, “the quality of drivers at the back is quite low right now.”
Albon, however, said he really enjoyed racing against Alonso over the weekend. The collision happened when Albon tried to move on the inside at a tricky hairpin just before the straight. Alonso finished 16th, with Albon just behind in 17th, and Alonso told the media that the bottom of the grid needs stronger drivers.
Albon didn’t take offense and even compared their racing to a famous YouTube clip where a powerful Ford Mustang is overtaken by a smaller, more agile Mini. “It’s always fun to race Fernando,” Albon said. “He’s a tough competitor but very fair.”
He added that Alonso might have thought Albon was driving a bit too aggressively, but he had a lot of fun. From Albon’s point of view, he tried to avoid Alonso but couldn’t, as the space got too tight between the cars. He ended up with a broken front wing but kept pushing.
Albon also explained some challenges he faced during the race, like early pit stops and having to deal with blue flags, which made him lose time. He was hoping to finish ahead of the Aston Martins but they managed to get past him near the end.
Now, Albon is looking ahead to the Mexico City GP, where he hopes to do better. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Kimi Antonelli, who aims to become the youngest-ever Formula 1 world champion on November 1.