A look back: Alex in Japan

Refresh your memory on Albono's previous trips to Japan

Published

04 Apr 2024

Est Reading Time

1 min

Alex is racing in Japan for the fourth time in his Formula 1 career this weekend, at a circuit that has brought him mixed results.

His debut around Suzuka came in 2019, in just his fifth race for Red Bull Racing. It proved to be his best result of the season, as a strong drive saw him finish 4th, as one of just four cars not to be lapped by eventual winner Valtteri Bottas.

With the Japanese Grand Prix cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Alex didn’t return to Suzuka until 2022 – by that point with Williams Racing.

The Grand Prix began under torrential rain, and Alex suffered a collision with Kevin Magnussen in desperately difficult conditions, to bring a premature end to his running before the race was red flagged on lap 2. The long delay thereafter meant only 28 laps were completed before the time limit passed.

Last year’s race brought precious little improvement in fortunes for Albono, who was hit by Bottas on the opening lap as the race began and eventually forced to retire once more.

Here’s hoping for better luck this Sunday, as Alex takes to the ever-popular Suzuka Circuit once more.