Alex Albon describes life on the road in F1 as Malaysia-Singapore triple-header closes in

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Alex Albon says he remains far from immune to the strain of Formula 1 travel even after seven years in the sport, telling F1.com that extended stretches on the road never fully become “second nature.” Speaking during the final stop of a triple-header that began in Baku before moving to Malaysia and then Singapore, the Williams driver described how the calendar’s rapid shifts in location, climate and race timing continue to shape daily routines. Albon said the immediate challenge in the current run is not only time-zone changes but also the physical demands of back-to-back events. He pointed out that Malaysia and Singapore are among the most physically demanding tracks on the year, and that the proximity of the two races makes recovery and preparation especially difficult. While Malaysia and Singapore share the same time zone, he said the combination of a daytime race at Sepang and Singapore’s night schedule creates an effective eight-hour “time zone shifting” that drivers must manage. He also framed travel as a heavily scheduled operation rather than a spontaneous lifestyle, explaining that his manager coordinates with Williams around team and partner commitments. Albon said he will add another stop after Singapore, with Thailand included in his post-race plans because of his Thai background. As he prepares for the remainder of the season, Albon estimated that he will spend only five days at home in Monaco from the present point until the last race of the year. Albon described how that limited home time translates into day-to-day living: he expects to “pretty much live in a suitcase” during the second half of the season. He said the travel setup includes a “big suitcase” planned for both cold and hot weather, and that he often buys essentials on the road—such as underwear, socks and shirts—to keep his routine moving. He added that unpacking is largely not part of the plan, saying, “No, I’m the opposite!” and noting that the team often aims to fly in as late as possible, with arrivals followed by immediate rest and then track preparation. To make hotels feel more manageable, Albon said he travels with items intended to create comfort and protect sleep. He named an oil diffuser, an iPad and—unusually—a chair he uses specifically to help promote sleep, which he also brings with him. He said Singapore requires additional adjustments even without a formal time-difference from Malaysia, because the later running reshapes sleeping and eating patterns to fit around night-time competition. Albon said he works with a sleep doctor and nutritionist, but emphasized that at his stage in his career he does not rely heavily on additional help. He listed practical tools he uses for sleep and circadian management, including blue-light glasses, caffeine gum and eye masks. For sleep support, he said he avoids sleeping supplements and instead uses natural tart cherry extract, explaining that it helps promote melatonin for natural sleep. When asked what he misses most, Albon said it is routine and ordinary daily life rather than simply being away from home. He described how triple-header travel can mean flying on Sunday night and arriving Monday, leaving less opportunity for spontaneous activities like walking around a city or grabbing lunch. He said that even when he is not being recognized as often as during race weekends, the reduced freedom during travel is what stands out. He also noted hotel rooms can contribute to a “cabin fever” feeling, and said he tries to maintain training outdoors, but misses waking up in his own bed, using familiar facilities and following normal schedules. Family and logistics also play a role in how he spends time when he can get back to the UK. Although his home is in Monaco, Albon said he has arranged to be closer to Williams’ Grove base to see family and his pets more often. He said he “doesn’t see my family all that much,” adding that they also have the cats, and that greater proximity this year has allowed him to see them more frequently than before. Albon’s travel routine is also reflected in a growing public side project. Alongside partner Lily Muni He, a professional golfer, he said he has been sharing a series called Al-bon Appétit, filming restaurant visits during race weeks around the world and posting them on social media. He described the concept as blending food with routine, often on Wednesday nights or Thursdays, and credited Giovanni Moioli—who is behind the camera—with making the filming feel natural. Finally, Albon discussed how Williams staff travel alongside him but in ways that do not mirror his experience. He said the team’s travel can feel “quite disconnected” despite being on the road together, noting that staff—especially the race team—also cover significant air miles while facing different constraints, including less flexibility in flying and hotel conditions. He added that many staff are older and have families, making the lifestyle particularly challenging. Albon said the traveling team may not spend every evening together, but Williams makes conscious efforts to create moments away from the circuit, citing driver events on trips to destinations such as Austin, Mexico and Brazil, including an event in Madrid at Carlos Sainz’s family track.

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