ART F2 driver Alexander Albon explains injury behind Baku absence
ART Grand Prix Formula 2 driver Alexander Albon says the position of his collarbone injury is preventing him from racing this weekend in Azerbaijan
Albon broke his collarbone in a mountain biking accident on June 10 and although he is recovering after successful surgery, the placement of his over-the-shoulder seatbelts meant he was ruled out of racing in Baku, where he will be replaced by Sergey Sirotkin.
"I've got one of the metal plates inside," Albon told Autosport.
"You see MotoGP guys and they can jump on the bike pretty soon after an injury like this, but the problem with us is that we have our belts [over our shoulders].
"So that's why I can't go to Baku.
"Right now, it's improving so much every day, as it should do.
"It's still a little bit painful, but nothing like the pain I was in when I crashed."
Albon explained that he sustained the injury when he crashed into an unsighted drop while out on a training ride.
"I was cycling - mountain biking in the forest - and there was just a huge drop and none of us saw it and unfortunately I was the first one to go past it," he said.
"We went to the hospital and everything and I needed surgery.
"We went to see a specialist, so we had to wait a while, until [the following] Wednesday, to get the operation."
The 21-year-old is aiming to return to action at the following F2 round at the Red Bull Ring, but explained that it is also important for him to be fully healed before the series visits the physically demanding tracks at Silverstone and the Hungaroring later in July.
"It's going to be tough, but the Red Bull Ring is definitely our objective," he said.
"That's what I'm focused on and I have my trainer and we're doing everything possible to get back on track and to be ready.
"Luckily the Red Bull Ring isn't the most physical circuit, but after that we have Silverstone and Hungary, which are the two most physical tracks for us [in F2].
"So of course we need to be as prepared as possible."
Previous article
Renault F1 reserver Sirotkin gets ART F2 call-up as Albon stand-in
Next article
Baku F2: McLaren protege de Vries leads incident-filled practice
How F2's biggest talent could be forced to spend 2022 on the bench
Tipped as the next big thing after winning the FIA Formula 3 championship in his rookie season, Oscar Piastri has taken Formula 2 by storm and looks set to clinch that title too. But with no Formula 1 seat available to him for next year, the Alpine junior may have to wait for his time in the spotlight…
How Campos Racing has bounced back from its devastating loss
After the sudden death of its founder in January, Formula 2 stalwart Campos Racing was left facing its hardest season to date. But new team boss Adrian Jr is determined to honour his father’s legacy and has returned the team to its winning ways
How F2 and F3's flawed format changes could prove shortlived
After a chaotic 2020, marred by the coronavirus pandemic, the FIA brought in radical changes to Formula 2 and 3. But less than 12 months later, there are talks of them being reversed after all did not go to plan…
The Red Bull F1 junior aiming to defy geographical odds
It's a long way from Pukekohe New Zealand to Milton Keynes, but Red Bull's Kiwi protege Liam Lawson has defied plenty of odds to reach the rung below F1. He's endured disappointment since winning on his F2 debut in Bahrain, but is determined to turn his season around and prove himself worthy of a place in F1
How Red Bull's next F1 hopeful turned around his season
Having impressed in Formula 3, Juri Vips looked to be next cab off the rank in Red Bull's prestigious Junior Team before his 2020 schedule was dealt a heavy blow by the COVID-19 pandemic. After a tough start to life in Formula 2, Vips is showing signs of a recovery - could he be the first Estonian to reach Formula 1?
The making of an F1 hopeful re-writing the F2 record books
He'd marked himself out as a star of the future in last year's FIA Formula 3 championship, but 17-year-old Theo Pourchaire underlined his credentials by winning his first Formula 2 race in the Monaco feature. Sauber junior status gives him a clear route to the top, but with wisdom beyond his years, he's not getting caught up in his own hype
The 10 greatest F2 races contested by F1 drivers
Formula 2 used to be about more than providing a stepping stone to F1. For three decades it often provided another setting for the world’s best to fight it out. Autosport picks out the very best races
The F1 hopeful living two lives to keep his dream alive
Having lost his backing from Red Bull, Richard Verschoor has had to graft to continue his ascent up the single-seater ladder. An impressive Formula 2 debut in Bahrain, despite the lateness of his deal, shows his unorthodox approach is paying dividends
