Albon almost quit racing following 2012 axe from Red Bull

Alexander Albon confirms he nearly quit racing after his 2012 axe from Red Bull Racing. Six years on and Toro Rosso have confirmed he will race for them in 2019.

Albon continued to doubt himself last year as he signed a deal with e.dams in Formula E. Albon was in the Red Bull junior set-up during his car-racing debut in 2012 but was dropped following a tough campaign in 2012.

"It was a difficult year for me for numerous reasons, not least because of my results, but it made me work that much harder," Albon said as he confirmed his mother was sent to prison in 2012.

"I was on the brink of stopping racing altogether. Since then, I knew I had to impress every time I drove and fortunately Dr [Helmut] Marko gave me a second chance."

In Formula 2 this season, Albon finished third, just behind George Russell and Lando Norris who will move up the ranks as well. He knew his only route into Formula 1 would be through Marko.

"In reality, the only way I was going to have the opportunity was through Toro Rosso/Red Bull, but as we all know, it is not easy to impress Dr Marko! I still couldn't believe that it finally happened," Albon added.

Talking about plans and goals for the 2019 season and Albon sounds relaxed. The British-Thai driver is setting short-term goals to help bring his confidence up.

"It's more about trying to maximise each race weekend as it comes. I won't have many days in the car before Melbourne so it will be very important to be as prepared as possible and take each race as it comes. Of course, it would be nice to fight regularly for points and at the sharp end," he concluded.