Once he was sorted out, now the ex-racing team Red Bull pays respect. Formula 1 driver Alex Albon has redeemed himself with appealing performances at Williams this year. This has not escaped the “bulls” either.
Red Bull team consultant Helmut Marko emphasizes in an exclusive interview sport.dethat the racing team from Milton Keynes continues to maintain a “very good relationship” with Albon. “We still kept in touch”, even if the change to the “Mercedes B-Team” Williams clouded this a bit. The traditional British stable gets its engine from the Silver Arrows and maintains a close cooperation.
The Austrian vehemently defended the decision to take away the RB regular cockpit from Albon in 2020. “You have to be realistic: he was turned around by Hamilton in Brazil, there it was about second place and the action at the Red Bull Ring was much more serious – it was about victory. He was turned around by Hamilton there too,” remembers Marco. These incidents would have “affected Albon morally very badly” and brought him to a low. It was right that he was “exchanged at that point in time,” said Marko.
Marko about Albon: “Unfortunately, God” contract with Williams
A return campaign is now “more difficult” because he “unfortunately is under contract with Williams until 2025.”
Asked if he would bring the British-Thai pilot back, Marko replied: “Yes, he recovered. It was necessary,” then added: “At that point we didn’t have an option for him.”
“These two events really hit him. He also made mistakes. Life next to Max is not easy. There are only very few who can survive next to Max in terms of speed and psychologically.”
Albon started his F1 career in 2019 with RB sister team Toro Rosso. That summer he quickly replaced Pierre Gasly at Red Bull. The following year he finished the season in seventh place, but did not win or get a pole – not enough for the decision-makers around Marko. He was replaced by Sergio Perez for the 2021 season. After a year off, he started his comeback at Williams.
In the inferior Williams racer, he has performed well this season. The 27-year-old finished in the top 10 several times and is 13th in the drivers’ standings.