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.
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"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.
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Austrian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 26.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 27.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 28.06.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 26.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 27.06.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 28.06.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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F1-stand 2026
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| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
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9 | AlpineALP | 32 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 28 |
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