Christian Horner believes proper off-season drill will help Alexander Albon to be ready for 2020 F1 season with Red Bull Racing Honda.
After an interesting 2019 F1 season for Albon, Red Bull team principle Horner praised the Thai racer for adjusting well and also predicted an even brighter 2020. It was a literal roller coaster ride for the youngster as he made it in at the very last moment.
As we know, Albon began the season at Toro Rosso but moved to Red Bull in place of Pierre Gasly, who was demoted to the junior outfit. From that point forward, the Thai driver delivered on the expectations, and steadily improved in the latter half of the season.
Even though he had troubles in getting into terms with the senior team, Albon raced well despite starting from back and or losing places at the start. He missed out on sixth place, though, for the late tussle with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in Brazil GP.
He finished eighth with 92 points eventually, as Gasly managed to stay ahead by three points, but For his efforts though, Albon was awarded as the Rookie if the Year in the FIA Prize Giving Gala, beating fellow rookies Lando Norris and George Russell.
Aside the laurels, even though there were certain mistakes, Horner thought Albon deserved the Red Bull seat and feels a proper off-season period will help him. “We had the driver change halfway through the year, and I think that was the right thing to do,” he said.
“I think Alex has earned his seat in the car for next year [at Red Bull]. It’s easy to forget that this was his first year in F1 and he’s getting better and better, as his understanding of these tyres, and the complexity of these cars operate.
“And, you see on Sunday, his pace is getting closer and closer [to Verstappen]. I think a proper winter, and pre-season as he knows the drill now in F1 [will help him] and he’ll go into Melbourne a much better prepared driver for next year.”
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The story was co-written and transcribed by Duncan Leahy