Alexander Albon says his Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost has told him to “just don’t care” about the external pressure that comes with racing in Formula 1.
Albon stepped up to grand prix racing after finishing third in Formula 2 in 2018, having no previous F1 experience before making his debut with Toro Rosso at Misano during a filming day ahead of pre-season testing.
He then finished 14th in his maiden race in Australia before scoring two points with ninth place in Bahrain after the two Renaults retired late on.
Albon’s predecessor Brendon Hartley struggled in his one F1 season last year, and the current Toro Rosso driver says he has taken on Tost’s advice.
“It’s easy in this world, especially in F1, to feel under pressure all the time,” said Albon.
“I’m here to enjoy it really, I love the sport.
“It’s not taking a step back to it all, but it’s enjoying it really.
“Franz always tells me ‘don’t care’, that’s his motto ‘just don’t care’. Just do your thing. I do take it onboard because it definitely is a thing in Formula 1.”
Albon started the Australian Grand Prix weekend with a crash in first practice, and he admitted media comments about it made him dwell on the accident having initially not given it any thought.
“Melbourne wasn’t the greatest start after the spin in FP1, it was a bit different to what I’m used to,” he added.
“I have a spin and I didn’t think about it much but then you have the media saying ‘tricky day’.”
Elaborating on his debut, he added: “I didn’t think I was that bad. You kind of have to trust in yourself and your job.
“Those are the external things you have to let go a little bit.
“Even FP1, it was a tricky start but I was quite happy with how I turned it around a little bit and got quicker and quicker through the weekend.”