Albon brands walls at Albert Park as ‘dangerous’

Alex Albon reckons drivers need “some cojones” to race around the revamped Albert Park circuit, especially with the Turn Two wall that much closer.

Prior to this year’s grand prix, the Melbourne circuit underwent a major revamp that included resurfacing the track, changing seven corners and removing two.

But not all the changes have been good, says Albon, who fears the wall at Turn Two is now too close to the action.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the Williams driver said: “[Turn Two is] a quicker corner. If anything it actually makes Turn Two a proper corner now because we are arriving so much quicker coming out of One. I think we are a good 20-30kph quicker than in previous years.

“Turn Two, as we’ve got this wall much closer, it requires some cojones.

“The trick around One and Two is how much can you use in Turn One and still make Turn Two. I think you will see the top teams using more track in Turn One.”

Go onboard with Alex Albon at #AustralianGP FP2 pic.twitter.com/Uouma1K3f2

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 8, 2022

And that’s not the only wall he has concerns about.

“I’m not sure how I feel about [the pit exit walls],” he said.

“You can see these walls have been brought much closer this year and we have this even tighter wall. It’s actually quite dangerous, it can suck you in.

“Because our cars have so much downforce, we exit very early and we are right on the edge, crossing over. I think in qualifying it gets really marginal. You are really wincing and you’re hoping your front left doesn’t get taken off.

“[The final corner] is actually the worst one of the lot. I saw Checo on one lap was millimetres away, and I feel like… don’t be surprised in qualifying – hopefully it’s not me – but there might be some corners