Formula 1: Alexander Albon to drive for Toro Rosso in 2019

Alexander Albon is set to drive for Scuderia Toro Rosso as the replacement for Brendon Hartley in the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Scuderia Toro Rosso are set to roll with a completely new driver lineup in the 2019 Formula 1 season, as neither one of their drivers this past season, rookies Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley, are set to return to the team next year.

The Faenza-based team confirmed in late September that Daniil Kvyat, who was replaced by Gasly beginning at the end of the 2017 season, is set to be Gasly’s replacement for next season, as Gasly is set to replace the Renault Sport-bound Daniel Ricciardo at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.

Now, as expected, Toro Rosso have confirmed that their second driver for next season will not be Hartley. Instead, Alexander Albon is set to be Kvyat’s teammate at the Italian team.

Here is what Albon, who was dropped from the Red Bull Racing driver program back in 2012, had to say about the opportunity to drive for the Red Bull Racing junior team in the 2019 Formula 1 season, according to the BBC.

"“It’s such an amazing feeling to know that I’m in Formula 1 next year. Throughout my single-seater career, I went through a few ups and downs. I was dropped by Red Bull in 2012, so from then I knew my road to Formula 1 was going to be a lot harder.“I worked really hard and tried to impress every time I got in the car, and I have to say a big thank you to Red Bull and (motorsport boss) Helmut Marko for believing in me and giving me a second chance. I’ve always been motorsport mad and since I first got in a car it’s been my dream to be in F1. To be given this opportunity is just incredible.”"