On Wednesday 22 January 2020 there were also two of the most interesting youngsters of Formula 1 among the drivers of the official teams engaged in one of the many test days that make up the pre-season at the South Garda Karting in Lonato: Alexander Albon and George Russell took advantage of the sunny day to dive into their past as kart drivers.
Although the cold weather persisted for most of the morning, the official Red Bull driver and the talent of Williams in Mercedes orbit could not wait to get behind the wheel of the vehicle with which they began their journey towards Formula 1, so much so that they were among the first to take to the track - after the usual photos with the fans of course - aboard the KZ karts made available to them.
Karts that must have brought back memories of the two drivers. Alexander Albon tried his hand at driving a TM Racing KZ-R1-powered Energy Corse brought to the track directly by the official Energy Corse team in which he found the technical staff (Luigina Guerrini, Simone Sorio, Aitor Medina and Franco Drudi as motorist) who had been by his side during the most successful years in karting. George Russell, who started his career wearing under Birel, found instead a Birel ART CRY30 S11 waiting for him, always powered by a TM Racing KZ-R1, the same pair that managed to win the World Championship held in Lonato last year.
[caption id="attachment_265326" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Alexander Albon[/caption]
After a first session spentl to regain confidence with the kart and the circuit, Albon and Russell met several times on the track during a day in which they were not afraid to confront the many official drivers present.
[caption id="attachment_265344" align="aligncenter" width="570"] George Russell[/caption]
For both, however, it was not only the opportunity to keep in training in view of the imminent Formula 1 season but also to see the people with whom they spent the best moments of their years in karting, both on the track and under the tent.
Although they had little time available, George Russell and Alexander Albon certainly did not spare themselves and took advantage of all the track time at their disposal. A clear indicator of how much the two remained tied to this sport that differs so much from the maximum form of world motoring, but which still represents one of the most complete training tool for those who race in F1.
[gallery columns="1" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="265338,265335,265332,265329"]
To find out more about this different day than usual just ended at South Garda Karting, stay tuned to TKART Magazine.