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Lee McKenzie Explains Why Alex Albon Can Become a Great ‘TV Presenter’

Somin Bhattacharjee
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Alex Albon (L) and Lee McKenzie (R)

Once they leave behind the high-speed world of F1, many drivers transition to careers in broadcasting. And why not? It’s a familiar environment where they can stay close to the sport and use their experience to become pundits or race commentators.

Grand Prix winners like Mark Webber and even former world champions Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg have successfully made that transition. Many more from the current F1 grid are likely to follow suit sometime down the line. According to Lee McKenzie, Williams’ Alex Albon would be a particularly great presenter.

In an interview with Lucas Stewart, the F1 journalist was asked who would be the best TV presenter from the current grid. She named Lando Norris first, citing his personality as the key reason behind her choice.

However, when it came to Albon, McKenzie had even more reasons to offer.

“He’s intelligent, quick-witted, looks good, calm. Yeah, I’m going to say Alex,” she said, suggesting that between Albon and Norris, she would choose the Thai-British driver as the better pick.

One of the more charismatic drivers on the grid, Albon exudes confidence in his interviews and is undoubtedly articulate enough to make a strong presence on TV. On Williams’ YouTube channel, he has given countless interviews over the years, entertaining fans with his humor while also providing constructive insights into his performances on track.

Albon was also one of five drivers chosen by Netflix to record snippets of a Drive to Survive Season 7 episode—featuring the Singapore GP weekend—on their mobile phones.

However, Albon was not always this comfortable in front of the camera. His close friend and Mercedes driver, George Russell, revealed that he used to be quite shy.

Russell proud on how far Albon has come

Russell and Albon have known each other for over 15 years, having grown up racing against each other in karts and various junior formula categories. Their long-standing friendship means Russell knows the Thai-British driver inside out. So when he says Albon used to be “shy,” it’s certainly believable.

On a talkSPORT podcast, Russell opined that Albon would be the most likely F1 driver to start his own podcast—second only to former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo. But ask him a few years ago, and Russell might have had a different answer.

“He was like a super shy kid,” Russell said. Today, however, he isn’t afraid to be himself. And he’s particularly good at it.

Post Edited By:Aishwary Gaonkar

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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