"Shielded" Albon used ethnicity to "stand out" from the crowd

Red Bull driver Alex Albon has revealed he used his ethnicity to help him "stand out" from the crowd during his junior career.

British-born Thai driver Albon is one of only two non-white drivers in the 20-strong Formula 1 grid, the other being six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The current season has seen a push for increased diversity in F1 and society as a whole, with Hamilton leading that drive within the paddock.

Albon, who was just 12 years old when Hamilton captured his first world title in 2008, claims the Mercedes driver was then someone he admired as he had proven ethnicity was not a barrier to achievement.

"With everything, Lewis was someone to look up to when I was growing up, as I am sure with a lot of drivers my age," said Red Bull driver Albon.

"Truthfully, on my side, it was his ethnicity. I also saw it as a way to stand out and was also a way to get me through the junior formulas.

"I was always backed through Thailand and I always had an opportunity so there are definitely different ways about it."

Albon explained how his upbringing afforded him a degree of protection from the issues of racism, but he acknowledged others have been less fortunate.

"I was pretty shielded as a kid," he continued. "I was brought up in a good school, a private school and no issues.

"The thing is, I raced in Europe so early on in my career, I was pretty okay. That is not to say that people have it easy, it is just I never faced it."

Asked whether diversity issues had ever worked against him in his career, Albon replied: "No, I wouldn't say so. If anything it was good for me. It helped me explore and get funding from other places."

Before you go...

Ricciardo aware he still needs luck on his side to clinch overdue podium

Russell calls for greater use of Tecpro barriers to increase F1 safety

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Jos Verstappen lashes out over F1 2026 debate: 'You call this racing?'

• Yesterday 22:58

F1 star Oscar Piastri pokes fun at double McLaren DNS

• Yesterday 21:54

Max Verstappen Nurburgring Results: Final NLS2 Race times and positions after Mercedes disqualification

• Yesterday 21:35

Max Verstappen disqualified from Nurburgring race hours after huge win

• Yesterday 20:52

John Elkann performs Lewis Hamilton U-turn in awkward meeting after Ferrari F1 outburst

• Yesterday 20:26

Aston Martin start from a ‘clean sheet’ as Fernando Alonso F1 future addressed

• Yesterday 19:41