F1 CONFIDENTIAL: Albon reveals key to longevity forward of one hundredth GP

Alex Albon has proved a great addition to the grid, a driver of talent and verve belying his pleasant demeanour.

Unfailingly polite, he agreed to dedicated part of an interview with me during his rookie season to the unfortunate episode of his mother’s incarceration for fraud when he was 15. She was sentenced to six years.

As the Netflix cameras recorded, his Red Bull minder asked me to stick to his motor-racing career. Had I been more nimble, my rejoinder would have been that without the £6million illegally generated he wouldn’t have a motor-racing career to discuss.

That is all a long while ago. We chatted at the front doors of Austin’s Four Seasons hotel on Wednesday night as he awaited, for all incongruous things, his takeaway order ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix. ‘Alex?’ asked the delivery man. He scooped up his food and, after a few selfies for fans, off he went.

Williams, who have rightly signed him up on a new deal, are celebrating his 100th race this weekend. It is a deserved landmark, though as he is the first to admit it is easier these days than in the olden times.

He could scarcely believe it, though, that he will have driven more races than Sir Jackie Stewart, who retired on the eve of what would have been his century of grands prix.

There were cupcakes at the Williams hospitality area to mark Albon’s achievement with lemon curd in them – a favourite of his – and he talked of how he once wondered whether it might all be over for him in Formula One having gone up too young against the one-man destroyer of reputations, Max Verstappen, at Red Bull.

He was looking into a Plan B, in America or Formula E, when the Williams seat became available, aided by recommendation from his big pal George Russell, who was moving on to Mercedes.

Albon has grabbed his chance with his speed and consistency in midfield or at the back of the field, pinpointing that adding staff to his personal entourage has helped his preparations. He is no longer the one-man band who was buffeted about by Verstappen’s gale.

The key change in his mindset? ‘I have learned that I need to stand up for myself,’ he said. ‘I was too selfless. Now I am more selfish.’

James Vowles, Williams’ energetic and thoughtful team principal in his second year in charge, views Albon as crucial to his task of turning around the ship. At 28, Albon has time on his side, but not oceans of it.

‘I have three or four years at my best, or more if you look at Fernando Alonso (still going at 43), and I think we can get there by then,’ he added, looking ahead to his next century at least.

No Donald no party?  

Donald Trump was a caller last time F1 was in the States, in Miami in May. But I am told that he is not expected in Austin. Preparations for his arrival are involved and the wheels would already be turning if he was bringing his fist-pumping act to town.

That visit to the paddock in the Dolphins stadium fell before the two, possibly three, attempts on his life. But as he walked past a few feet away from me it struck me then how apparently lax security was.

Of course there were precautions taken behind the scenes, and he had some serious heavies with him, armed either furtively or blatantly, but it was nothing like the level of protection afforded him when he was in office. Then, he travelled in ‘The Beast’. A phial of his blood was secreted in the long cavalcade behind him.

It didn’t take Mystic Meg to ponder his chances of survival through this latest campaign. And my mind turned back to the two most visibly guarded sports events I have attended. One was the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi for the opening ceremony graced by the then Prince Charles.

The other was Vladimir Putin’s vainglorious Winter Olympics in Sochi four years later. Snipers everywhere that night.

As for Donald, what odds his attendance in Las Vegas next month should he meanwhile wrest back the presidency?

‘Nothing to see here,’ claims Domenicali

Last week I wrote that Stefano Domenicali had yet to sign his contract extension beyond next year. The paperwork has been set for completion over the summer.

No problems, says Domenicali, it is all in hand. But this being F1, there is never a shortage of rivals who would spin it the other way around, a flavour of which I reflected in my report. He was less than thrilled by the impression it left.

So, whom should I bump into first in the security queue at Heathrow on my way to Texas? Mr Domenicali, who was as charming as ever.

Circuit of the Americas reigns supreme

Of the American races, which one would I spend my own money on going to? Hands down, Austin.

Best track, great little town – the capital of Texas, in fact – with live music and decent grub.

I sat on the eve of the inaugural race 12 years ago with Bobby Epstein, chief executive, in the lobby of the Four Seasons hotel, where so much high-rolling action has occurred over Grands Prix weekends in the intervening years. Bobby was with his co-founder, the San Antonio business icon Red McCombs, then already walking on sticks but quite a character.

They wondered what Bernie Eccelstone would make of it all when he arrived a few days later. ‘He’s a gentleman,’ said McCombs. After a few financial hiccups, Austin has been a towering triumph ever since.

Star-spangled Texas 

There are numerous favourite haunts here for the travelling circus. John Button, Jenson’s later father and a real paddock personality, used to arrive early in the week to make sure he crammed in as much fun as possible.

Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, on the jumping 6th Street, is a regular haunt. Lewis Hamilton celebrated his title there in 2015, though he didn’t stay long. ‘It was full of dudes,’ he reasoned.

For the politically curious, there is the Driskill. It’s the hotel, with its high marble lobby, where Lyndon B Johnson took Lady Bird on their first date long before he became the 36th President.

Talking of big names, my mind goes back to Eddie V’s, the city’s leading steakhouse, a couple of years ago tonight. Peering over my dinner companion’s right shoulder, I saw Hamilton literally run across the floor. A moment later, another slim-set figure of fame sashayed across.

It was Brad Pitt. The pair of them made their way to an adjoining private dining room. And, in company with other of the sport’s biggest figures, the Hollywood movie, F1, due out next year, took shape.

They’re obsessed about the weather too! 

They say we Brits are obsessed with the weather. But turning on any US network is a reminder that we are mere amateurs on the subject.

Hot news, as it were, from Austin bulletins is that Thursday’s clear morning was only 53F (less than 11C), the lowest since April. Much excitement ensued, with tables produced of the highest and lowest temperatures registered on this date going back to the Texas of at least 1898.

It’s then adverts extolling or decrying Senator Ted Cruz’s anti-abortion stance. The polls have Cruz down as narrow favourite to win a third term ahead of Democratic challenger Colin Allred.

And then it’s back to the weather – with a dry weekend forecast, including for Sunday’s race. Good day Austin!