Kravitz philosophises on Red Bull return: 'Horner quick to praise Albon'
Sergio Perez is still with Red Bull Racing until 2024, but it is not a certainty that the Mexican will actually serve out that time. Red Bull will want to see more from the 33-year-old routine driver, otherwise there is a chance they will look around for a potential replacement. Ted Kravitz finds it remarkable that Christian Horner was particularly praising Alexander Albon in Canada.
Albon finished handsomely seventh in the Williams. The British Thai impressed by keeping chasers behind through smart driving. He therefore received compliments from his former team boss. Indeed, between 2019 and 2020, Albon drove at Red Bull.
In 2021, however, there was no place for him at Red Bull or sister team AlphaTauri and, after sitting on the sidelines for a year, Albon opted for an adventure at Williams. There he signed a multi-year contract. All ties with Red Bull were severed and so, according to Kravitz, Horner's words of praise are striking.
Kravitz on Horner's words
In Sky Sports' podcast, the pit reporter was asked if Perez deserves to stay with the Milton Keynes-based formation. "Yes. Although Christian Horner was quick to praise Alex Albon wasn't he. I thought that was interesting. Alex Albon has now severed all of his ties with Red Bull, he doesn't even have it on the side of his helmet anymore." Albon does still have links with the Yoovidhya family, which owns 51 per cent of Red Bull. "But Alex is not in the Red Bull camp anymore."
Albon finished well behind Perez (especially considering that Verstappen's teammate also made an extra pit stop to set the fastest lap), but the fact remains that he finished just one place behind the Red Bull driver. "That wasn't lost on anybody including Horner," Kravitz said.
Perez has contract, but...
Contracts between driver and team always include certain performance-related clauses that can be activated if either party underperforms. There can then be an early departure from each other. It is far from that yet, but it is certain that Perez will have to step up a gear. In the past three Grands Prix, he missed Q3 each time and also failed to finish on the podium, while teammate Verstappen won all of those races.
Meh moot point... Albon can't cope with the pressure of being at the edge of the field, he was already mesured by Verstappen and he is able to produce these moments when he is completly of the pressure of delivering so far he is, no one is expecting anything from him he is still being treated as rooky despite already having more than 3 years worth of experience. British media is looking on who is the best to match verstappen... currently is Alonso but he is afraid of the damage, le clerc is not consistent enough, hamilton is thinking in his retirement, Norris is afraid no one will take him serious so he only uses the RB seat as leverage to get more money and Danny ric is washed, there is no one as of 2023 ready to be beatean by Verstappen and be happy to be next to him.
Its not easy being Max's partner, who is pressuring his team-mates, one after another. Even Daniel, who I thought was championship winning material, couldnt handle the pressure and now we see the same pressure on Perez. We underestimate PRESSURE. Max is going through his team-mates career faster than his # of titles. 1. Albon 2. Daniel 3. Perez
Albon has matured considerably these past two years and his speed was never in question. History has seen Several drivers return to their original teams, Alonso and Ricciardo as two examples. F1 is all about what you have done lately. If Alton continues to impress I believe Red Bull will want him back. He is young. But if Williams continues to evolve then he may stay with them.
Albon in Canada was right be hide Perez in a Williams!....Come on Albon beat the Rocket! ·
Alex is ready for a return to RB and make it the best pairing in F1. Right now Max has the constructors championship title resting on his shoulders alone.
For me Albon is most fragile F1 driver. If Marko sees things like I do, Albon has no chance.
He is fragile, but that's something he can overcome. Also, if he went to Red Bull now it would be very different to his previous stint. That time Red Bull weren't champions, there was more pressure. Albon has been clear stating that Max is the best driver, he knows he isn't as good and can't beat him over a season. If he wants to go back to RB knowing he'd be the number two driver, and if Marko knows that, that fragility could actually be in his favor. He'd be more at ease and wouldn't feel like he needs to prove anything. He's better than Perez, and one of Perez's big problems is that he actually believes he can somehow beat Max over a season, and thinks he needs to prove that. Imagine Max having a number two who is as fast as Albon, yet accepts that he is number two, with his main job being to backup Max. Couldn't ask for a better backup than that.
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