Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Motor racing - Thai rookie Albon picks up first F1 points

MANAMA (Reuters) - Toro Rosso rookie Alexander Albon rode his luck to become the first Thai driver to score Formula One points since Prince Bira in 1954 when he finished ninth in Bahrain on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, who started 12th, collected two points in only his second grand prix.

"My start was very bad, I was a little bit safe into turns one and two," he said.

"Obviously we were a bit lucky with the Renaults, but I'll take it," added Albon, who moved up the order when Renault's Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo retired from scoring positions with three laps to go.

The points meant Toro Rosso have scored in both races to date this season, with Russian Daniil Kvyat finishing 10th two weeks ago in Australia.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The British-born son of a Thai mother and British father, Albon finished third overall in the Formula Two championship last year.

Set to race for Nissan in the all-electric Formula E series, he was handed his Formula One shot after Red Bull promoted Pierre Gasly from Toro Rosso to its senior team and dropped Brendon Hartley.

He is only the second Thai driver since Prince Bira to race in Formula One.

"I enjoyed myself out there and it was good to get that experience,” he said of his second weekend. 

"I’m very happy to pick up my first points in Formula One and I hope we can carry this pace into (the next race) in China."

(Reporting by Abhishek Takle, Editing by Alan Baldwin)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world