Alex Albon looks back on his time in intensive care

The fear gave way to relief. Alexander albon is very present in the Singapore paddock, on the sidelines of the Grand Prix this weekend (September 30 – October 2). The pilot Williams appeared fit and determined, just days after his appendicitis attack and the complications that followed. “It feels good to come back. Coming here, I feel ready, as fit as I can be, said the Thai at a press conference on Thursday. I had a good week of training. We'll see how it goes, but we're realistic: we know we're heading into the toughest race of the year. I did a little karting and I felt good. No pain. »

“When I woke up, I just told myself that the operation was over. They told me I had been through a little more than that! »

Curiosity then took over the state of health of Alexander Albon and his experience in Italy. A few hours after his appendectomy, the 26-year-old pilot experienced breathing difficulties, to the point of being placed on life support. His condition finally improved the next day. He tells :

“I had very good doctors around me who did their best to get me back on my feet. I feel very lucky, I only missed one race so it's not a big deal, estimated Alex Albon. Luckily I was on medication so I don't remember much. I just remember going into surgery. Normally, it is a benign maneuver that takes a few hours. But I had no sense of time at the time since I was sedated. It had a greater impact on the people around me. When I woke up I just thought the operation was over, they told me I had been through a little more than that! I had to be sedated for two or three days and eventually my lungs recovered well and I was awake 12 hours later. »

Albon spectator of the GP at Monza: “ The doctors told me to turn off the television"

In stable condition after waking up, doctors were able to remove life support for Alexander Albon at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday. The Thai explained that his worst memory of his time in hospital was probably being a simple spectator of the race. “I was supposed to be asleep for several days and I woke up 30 minutes before the race, so I was able to watch the Grand Prix. It was very frustrating being a spectator, my heart rate was racing a bit. The doctors told me to turn off the TV after a certain time, he laughed. It's mainly because we had such a good car [at Monza] on Friday. On Saturday, we could take the risk [of racing] but in the end, we made the right choice. Nyck de Vries did an excellent job. »

Left to rest at the San Gerardo hospital in Monza, Alexander Albon then followed a recovery program before being able to return home and begin physical preparation for the Singapore Grand Prix. “At the beginning, it was mostly a lot of rest in my bed to recover, explained the member of the fold Red Bull. It was complicated because I was just waiting for my lungs to recover, but my body couldn't move as much as it usually can. I couldn't just go back to training like that, I had to take it slowly. We only started working on Monday of last week. »

Albon's participation in Singapore set after Free Practice 2

According to the Williams driver, participation in the night race in the city-state was not initially on the agenda. “Day after day, I got better, recovery was going well. (…) Given the speed at which I was recovering, it became a possibility. So we started to really think about it and I now feel ready. »

If Alexander Albon was still able to train for the Singapore Grand Prix despite truncated preparation, the Williams driver's participation in the race has yet to be confirmed. “Of course we have to see how Free Practice 1 and 2 go to see where we are, because driving here is different, said the London native. We will have a more precise idea with the long relays. After FP2, we have a real idea of ​​how the body reacts before the race. Like I said: I'm not planning on not running, I want to be there and I feel confident with my body. » In the event of a withdrawal after Friday, Nyck de Vries would then be called by Williams to replace Alexander Albon again.

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