Red Bull: Albon may be temporarily transferred to another team in 2021!
Alexander Albon may temporarily look to a new employer. That is what Helmut Marko has said a week after it was announced that Sergio Perez will take his place next year alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. The Austrian race team is open to relocating Albon in 2021.
Marko and Albon have drawn up a contract for 2021 stating that he is the reserve and test driver. He will therefore be the permanent replacement when a Red Bull or AlphaTauri driver is unable to compete in a Grand Prix for whatever reason. The agreement also allows Albon to gain a year's experience elsewhere.
Albon in 2021 in other colours?
Marko said on Motorsport-Total.com: "We are open to lend him out if another team has a situation where they need a driver at short notice. That way he can make some racing kilometres."
If other teams are not interested in Albon's services, the Milton Keynes-based team can still make good use of the knowledge and skills of the Thai driver. "We will use him a lot in testing and he will do a lot in the simulator. He will also be present at many races as a reserve driver. After all, that's four cars for us."
Red Bull retains confidence
Marko is still confident that Albon will come out on top and later become a fixed value for Red Bull. "This is not the end. We'll see if we can stabilise him."
Red Bull has had three drivers come in (relatively) as kids (Vettel, Ricciardo and Max) and do incredibly well, even when paired with world champions, & obviously expect this from all of their juniors. Maybe a little spoiled, but perhaps the juniors are also, expecting that this team automatically catapults them, without realizing the pressure to perform that they'd be under. Getting moved up to the senior team isn't the end, but just the beginning, really.
Perhaps a smart team will sign him... And keep him. Maybe haas once they dump the rapist
If Red bull wanted a driver to challenge /beat Max immediately, then why not sign an experienced F1 driver from the start instead of promoting two of their young drivers and dropping them when they don't produce instant results? Had they been commited to developing one of their young drivers instead of setting the highest of expectations and adding incredible amounts of pressure from day one, Albon may not be in this position now. This season gave enough pressure from its intense schedule; Albon has had treble, being sky sports f1's favourite topic of conversation every week, slating him constantly regardless of the relevance, as well as the pressure piled on by Christian Horner. If they had supported Albon's development rather than publicly stating his target was to beat Max, surely they would produce a happier, more confident driver who would in turn get better results. Albon is a great driver and I really hope this last 6/7 months of constant criticism and pressure hasn't ruined his confidence and his career. Paul Di Resta should be ashamed of himself, i personally would class how he used any opportunity he could to criticise Albon in any topic of conversation, as bullying.
Exactly this. Red Bull has turned into a team that put massive pressure on the drivers and put them against each other, instead of developing them. Just like Ferrari in the early days, no immediate results, then you'll pack your luggages.
Hamilton is great, SERIOUSLY?? Are u really suggesting that because Alex Albon is introverted and reserved that he should be handled with baby gloves. He is a grown man he is under the biggest microscope in sports and the expectations are high because they have to be. If Alex cant handle paul di resta and Christian Horners criticism then he's DEFINITELY in the wrong sport. Id say its more likely that red bull did not see the hunger for success and agression that they need at this level to succeed.
Red Bull's peptalk around Albon is so hilarious. It's all PR. They have effectively ended the boy's career. It's over!
Albon did it to himself. He's another low to mid-pack pay (Thai) driver.
How is he going to come on top... without full on practice....I guess Gas feels lucky he was demoted only half season n he has retained his seat...
I wonder which team would use him for emergencies...??
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