Albon and Sainz plan F1 drivers' Asia trip as Bahrain GP move creates rare gap

Williams team-mates Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz have confirmed that a group of Formula 1 drivers are planning a joint trip across Asia, taking advantage of an unusual gap in the 2025 calendar created by the relocation of the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit.

The Bahrain Grand Prix was moved from its traditional Middle Eastern home to Sepang due to the ongoing conflict in the region. That shift places the race geographically close to the Singapore Grand Prix, giving drivers a rare opportunity to remain in Asia between the two events rather than returning to their European bases.

“We’re going to go on like a boys’ trip, I guess,” Albon said during an interview in the Fan Zone ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. “I think there are a few drivers where we’re going to hang out.”

Sainz was quick to temper expectations of any lavish itinerary. “Yeah, it’s going to be [a boys’ trip]. We just realised no one’s bringing their girlfriend. But it’s not like we’re going to do anything exciting. We’re going to be in a resort in the middle of nowhere.”

The light-hearted exchange came during a significant weekend for Williams in Baku. The Grove-based team introduced a major upgrade package to the FW48 — effectively a B-spec car — after arriving at pre-season testing with an overweight chassis. Sainz qualified ninth and Albon 13th, though Sainz was subsequently dropped to 14th on the grid after receiving a five-place penalty for failing to slow under yellow flag conditions. The stewards also handed him two penalty points, bringing his 12-month tally to four.

In the drivers’ championship, Sainz sits 16th with six points and Albon 17th with five, leaving both men eager for a strong result in Azerbaijan before their Asian adventure begins.