Lewis Hamilton hopes Red Bull don't "spit out" Alexander Albon for 2020 F1 season

Albon was promoted to Red Bull following an impressive first half of his rookie Formula 1 season with Toro Rosso. When Pierre Gasly was demoted back down to Toro Rosso, Red Bull promoted the British-born Thai driver to the team.

Since his arrival, Albon has outscored his team-mate Verstappen - who has scored 39 points - in comparison to Albon's 58. Following his impressive start to life at Red Bull, the 23-year-old has received praise and backing off a five-time world champion in Hamilton.

"Alex has got a bright future ahead of him and I hope Red Bull give him the support over the years," Hamilton said to BBC Sport. "It's very, very important because they often spit drivers out pretty quick if they don't always do the job. I hope they're good to him.

"It's also a real challenge to go up against a driver in Max, that's spoken so highly of by so many people and built up onto a pedestal. He has come in so young, with all the difficulties he's had in his life as well.

"His story is quite an interesting one, succeeding against all adversity. So, on Sunday, it was quite cool to just sit and view him for a second."