Former Formula 1 driver Alex Albon is still targeting a return to F1 for 2022 after he was dropped by Red Bull in favour of Sergio Perez for the current season, but is keeping a close eye on other series as potential back-up plans.
Of those, the Anglo-Thai racer is exploring the possibility of joining IndyCar and he is currently attending the Indianapolis race weekend to take the opportunity to chat to teams and fellow former F1 racer Romain Grosjean, to get an idea of what the transition from F1 to IndyCar is like.
“I want to see what’s out there,” said Albon. “My main goal is to be in F1, but there’s never 100 per cent certainty on that, so you got to have plan B and C to see what else is out there.
“I’ve always had that interest within IndyCar. You see it on the rise now, especially with the viewership and everything going up.
“Seeing Romain, as well, seeing what he’s doing, it’s been really interesting to see,” added Albon. “I just wanted to see what he thinks about it. Is he happy? Of course he’s happy. He’s always got a smile on his face. How was that transition for him, and how did he feel in IndyCar straight away? He looks very comfortable here.”
Grosjean has settled into IndyCar quickly, earning pole position in only his third race in which he finished second behind winner Rinus VeeKay.
Albon, who is currently racing in the DTM with Red Bull, is keen to see what opportunities there are for 2022 before committing to making a decision on his future.
“It’s been really interesting to see. Honestly, it’s more just hard to say if it’s something I would want to be doing. I’m seeing a few teams out there right now. I want to chat with them and see what’s out there so I can decide what I am going to do.
“Let’s just say, obviously, if the right opportunity is there, or let’s say the lack of opportunity is there in F1, and there’s an opportunity here that’s a good opportunity with a good team, and if in these next few days I think it’s something I would enjoy, obviously then the odds [of racing IndyCar] go up.”
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