All but similar to Nikita Masepin almost happened to Alexander Albon, but the Williams driver will probably be allowed to represent his country to the fullest
Alexander Albon will be allowed to compete in the coming Formula 1 season under the Thai flag, with which the Williams driver has also raced at Toro Rosso and Red Bull. It didn’t look like that last October.
The anti-doping agency WADA had identified inconsistencies at the Thai association NADO regarding the anti-doping code and imposed sanctions. Similar to Russia, Thailand should not have been represented with a flag at major events – with the exception of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Williams driver would otherwise have been able to compete as a Thai, but would not have been given a flag to represent him on site – such as on the Formula One podium.
In this respect, the sanction also differs from the ban against Russia. Nikita Masepin may not officially compete as a Russian in 2022 either, but only as a neutral athlete of the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF). The sanction expires in December 2022.
For Albon, there would theoretically also have been the possibility to race under the British flag, as he holds both nationalities. Albon was born in London and has a British father and Thai mother. In racing he competes with a Thai licence.
