Alex Albon took part in the 2021 Austrian Virtual GP on Sunday, alongside the likes of fellow racing drivers George Russell and Stoffel Vandoorne, and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
F1 began streaming so-called virtual grand prix last year following the COVID-19 pandemic derailing the start of the 2020 season, and it quickly attracted a mixture of professional racing drivers, esports racers, and footballers.
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Albon finished Sunday’s race in P4, and during the live stream of the event, he poked fun at himself.
“I’m a little bit sad, I feel like everyone’s busy. Obviously I’m less busy,” the Thai driver joked, alluding to the fact he no longer has a seat on the F1 grid.
Continuing, he read out a comment and jokingly suggested he was trying to win back his seat at Red Bull by performing well in esports.
“Trying to get my seat back? Yes, I like that. Trying to get my seat back through virtual GP,” Albon joked.
The Thai driver lost his seat at Red Bull at the end of the 2020 F1 season, with the team opting to bring on Sergio Perez to partner Max Verstappen for the upcoming campaign.
The move was announced in mid-December, six weeks after Formula1News.co.uk exclusively reported that Albon wouldn’t be on the F1 grid in 2021 unless Yuki Tsunoda failed to get a Super Licence.
Albon is still a part of the Red Bull F1 Team, with him currently serving as their reserve and test driver.
He will also contest DTM races which don’t clash with his F1 duties.
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