Albon prepared for Singapore F1 return after missing Monza
Alex Albon says he is prepared to return to his Williams Formula 1 seat at the Singapore Grand Prix, after missing the Monza race with appendicitis.
Albon was taken to hospital on the Saturday morning of the Italian Grand Prix weekend for surgery, leaving Nyck de Vries to make his F1 debut as an emergency stand-in - during which the Dutchman impressed with a run to ninth place in the race.
Following his appendectomy, Albon also had to contend with respiratory failure following the procedure and had to be taken to intensive care overnight.
The Anglo-Thai driver was able to recover, however, and has since been able to use the three-week break in action to get ready for F1's return to Singapore for the first time since 2019.
Albon said that he was not "underestimating" the challenge of getting back behind the wheel at the Marina Bay circuit, which is frequently one of the hottest races of the year despite its night-time setting.
"Firstly, I’d just like to thank everyone for all their messages and support over the Italian Grand Prix weekend," said Albon.
"My preparation for Singapore has been a little different than normal but I’m feeling good and I’ve done everything possible to get ready for one of the most physical races on the calendar.
Alex Albon, Williams FW44
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
"I am not underestimating how big of a challenge this is going to be, but I am looking forward to hitting the track on Friday and getting back driving.
"It’s a great street circuit and the closest race to home for me in Thailand, so I’m really excited to be here and to see the fans that have turned out."
De Vries will be on hand as a reserve once more, in case the situation arises where Albon is unable to continue with the weekend.
While the FW44 was particularly potent at both the Spa and Monza races, which helped de Vries on his way into the points, Williams head of vehicle performance Dave Robson expects a more "challenging" race on the Singapore streets.
"As a team we have enjoyed the end to the European season, with the FW44 performing well in Spa and Monza, and Nyck de Vries proving to be a very capable late replacement for Alex," said Robson.
"As we now refocus on Singapore, we expect a more challenging weekend, but we also know that a street circuit like Singapore can present opportunity to do well and we will be looking to maximise these chances."
Related video
Can Hamilton produce another Singapore magic moment?
Zhou never doubted Alfa Romeo F1 contract extension
Gasly: Potential with Alpine "even better" than expected after first F1 test
Pierre Gasly believes that potential Alpine has in Formula 1 is “even better” than he expected following his maiden test for the team in Abu Dhabi last week.
Hill stays with West Surrey Racing BMW team for 2023 BTCC
British Touring Car Championship star Jake Hill will remain with West Surrey Racing in 2023 and says that winning the title will make him feel complete as a driver.
Vandoorne hopes DS title-winning know-how can create "stronger combination" in FE
Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne hopes to combine his title-winning knowledge with that of the DS engineers into a "stronger combination" to kick off the Gen3 era in good form.
Latifi: Having "nothing to lose" didn't ease late-season F1 frustration
Nicholas Latifi’s frustration over his late-season Formula 1 struggles were not eased despite having “nothing to lose” with Williams after his exit was confirmed in September.
The key F1 management call Ferrari must make to avoid more defeat
OPINION: Mattia Binotto’s departure from Ferrari will naturally bring a range of changes across the Formula 1 team. But how the changes shape up and the impact they could have is set to be dictated by a key direction Ferrari’s top dogs will need to pick
The difference between Mercedes’ stumble and the fall of F1 giants
OPINION: Mercedes endured its worst season of the hybrid Formula 1 era, but was mercifully spared its first winless campaign in over a decade late on. It has owned up to the mistakes it made which led to its troubled W13. And while its task to return to title-challenging contention is not small, its 2022 season seems more like a blip than the beginning of a downward spiral.
The physical focus bringing out the best of an F1 midfield star
Esteban Ocon likes to point out he’s the first driver since Lewis Hamilton to emerge from a spell as Fernando Alonso’s team-mate with a superior overall points record. While some may disagree, as LUKE SMITH discovered, the 2021 Hungarian GP winner reckons it’s not just luck which has made him France’s pre-eminent Formula 1 driver of the moment…
How Red Bull's dynamic leader shaped its F1 philosophy
The death of Dietrich Mateschitz last month has not only deprived Red Bull of its visionary founder, it has shorn Formula 1 of one of its most influential benefactors. Mateschitz himself was famously media-shy, preferring to let the brand do the talking on his behalf. And, while it’s now normal to speak of Red Bull F1 titles and champions made, Mateschitz never assumed it would be easy or even possible – as ANTHONY ROWLINSON discovered during this previously unpublished interview from 2006…
Can Mercedes break Formula 1's cycle of doom?
OPINION: Teams that have dominated for long periods throughout Formula 1's history often take years to get back to the top of the tree once they've slipped down. But it remains to be seen whether the same will happen to Mercedes after a challenging 2022 season
What hurt Perez most in his ill-fated fight for second in Abu Dhabi
Arguably the favourite in the battle to finish second best in 2022's Formula 1 standings, Sergio Perez's two-stop strategy at Abu Dhabi couldn't take him ahead of Charles Leclerc when the music stopped - and several key factors ultimately precluded him from the much-coveted runner-up spot
The Abu Dhabi momentum that can propel Leclerc and Ferrari to F1 2023 success
OPINION: Charles Leclerc achieved his target of sealing runner-up in the 2022 world championship with a masterful drive behind Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. And that race contained key elements that may help him, and Ferrari, go one better in Formula 1 2023
How Verstappen's record-breaking 2022 season compares to the F1 greats
The 2022 Formula 1 season will be remembered as a record book rewriting Max Verstappen masterclass, a completely different challenge to his maiden world championship last year, and a clear sign he is still raising his own level. But where does it stack up against the all-time great F1 campaigns?