Albon's two seasons within 2019: Mid-season switch "like starting at square one"
F1 News
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
After completing his rookie season in Formula 1 at two different teams, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing driver Alexander Albon described his mid-season switch as "starting back at square one" as the Thai driver prepares for his first full season with the Bulls.
Albon's impressive form at Toro Rosso came in tandem with then-new Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly having massive struggles with the RB15. The Frenchman even got lapped by star teammate Max Verstappen as the Dutchman was on his way to victory in Austria.
During the summer break, Red Bull opted to swap around Albon and Gasly. It turned out to be the best move for both drivers, with Gasly thriving back at Toro Rosso and Albon quickly adapting to Red Bull.
Albon is looking forward to spending his first full year with Red Bull in 2020, as the 23-year-old explains the difficulties of switching sides during a season.
“I'm familiar now with Formula 1,” the soon-to-be sophomore told Motorsport.com. “The environment at least, and it will be a bit more normal.
"It was almost like I felt like I learned a good chunk of Formula 1 with the Toro Rosso, and how it was working, and it changed.
"It was almost like starting back at square one a little bit. But at least now we have a real solid foundation, where it will be a more secure working towards Melbourne.”