Lifestyle & CultureAlex AlbonWilliams
To celebrate Alex Albon’s 30th birthday, we’re looking into the Thai driver’s role in taking Southeast Asia’s racing heritage to the next level.
(L-R) Prince Bira, Alex Yoong, Rio Haryanto have all represented Southeast Asian nations in F1
There have also been two Southeast Asian constructors, albeit due to name and ownership changes. Lotus Racing (also called Team Lotus) were part of the 2010 and 2011 Constructors’ Championship, racing under a Malaysian flag thanks to their owner, Tony Fernandes. The Malaysian entrepreneur then acquired Caterham Cars, changing the constructors name for their 2012-2014 run in the sport.
Lotus Racing and Caterham both raced under the Malaysian flag
...And present
Perhaps we are already seeing the impacts of having a Southeast Asian racing star, as there are Thai drivers in both feeder series in the road to F1. Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak graduated to Formula 2 with ART this year, achieving two points finishes in his first two races in Melbourne. The Bangkok native even named Albon as his racing hero, having watched the Williams driver progress through GP3 and F2 while Inthraphuvasak was growing up.
Nandhavud "Jem" Bhirombhakdi is another Bangkok native looking to make it in the motorsport world, with the 19-year-old currently racing for Dams in Formula 3.
Meanwhile, Filipina driver Bianca Bustamante achieved two victories and five podiums during her time in F1 ACADEMY, before moving on to the GB3 Championship and Eurocup-3. With plenty more drivers throughout different racing series, the future of Southeast Asian motorsport looks to be in a good place.
The home race (almost)
There is one race which is always loudest for Albon, with Singapore the sole Southeast Asian country hosting an event, having joined the calendar back in 2008 – and Albon looks forward to it every year. Speaking on Drive to Survive, Albon said: “I’m from Thailand so I consider Singapore my home race – we are kind of like one big family in Southeast Asia.”
The Williams man is a bit of a hero in Singapore, with events attracting thousands of fans looking to meet him. It isn’t hard to tell how much the region means to Albon, who has produced two special helmets for the 2022 and 2025 Singapore races, auctioning both off to raise money for the Wat Sakraeo Orphanage and UNICEF Thailand.