Alexander Albon, while recovering from complications from appendectomy, did not expect to be able to race again next weekend in Singapore. The Williams driver did not play in the Italian Grand Prix and even ended up in intensive care for a short time.
By Joost Nederpelt“Luckily I was quite sedated, so I don’t remember much about it. But I remember going into the operation thinking it would be a simple procedure,” said 26-year-old Albon in Singapore on Thursday.
“It would only take a few hours. But when you’re under anesthesia, you have no sense of time. So when I woke up, I thought they had simply done the appendectomy. Then I was told I’d been through something more. “
The British Thai had to go on a ventilator in intensive care. “I was supposed to stay there for two or three days, but luckily my lungs started to get better after twelve hours. It didn’t feel like a big thing to me, but my family was shocked.”
‘It has been better since last Monday’
On Thursday, Albon, who was replaced by Nyck de Vries in Monza, again ran hard on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. Although at first it looked like the Dutchman would be allowed to show up again in Singapore.
“Actually, things have really improved since last Monday. We have started working on my recovery. But at the beginning I didn’t think I would make it to Singapore. We had to think about it for a long time. Now I feel that I’m ready.”
Second free practice will be the real test
The real test will follow on Friday in the two free practice sessions, with the longer runs in the second practice in particular, which will reveal the truth about Albon’s condition.
“Nothing compares to driving this car, so as a driver you immediately know if your body can handle it. I know that I have fully recovered from the surgery, but there are still some after-effects from my time in intensive care. Although I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t sure I could race.”
If after the training sessions it turns out that Albon is not able to race in Singapore, De Vries can get back in. The Dutchman is present in the Asian metropolis and has brought his helmet as usual.
