Christian Horner praises the Red Bull team that has become a ‘hot property’ in Formula 1: PlanetF1

Having joined Williams ahead of the 2022 season, Albon has settled into the team’s captaincy role as Team Grove seeks to climb their way back up the standings and return to their former glory days of racing and title winning.

And Albon, a rejuvenated driver at Williams after he collapsed as Max Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull, looks like a driver very capable of taking Williams there, if they can keep him.

Alex Albon is a ‘hot property’ in Formula 1 again

Appearing on the Eff Won podcast, Horner reconsidered the decision to replace Albon with Sergio Perez at the end of 2020, and Horner admitted the Thai rider was called up from the junior squad “too early” as he struggled to cope with form. From Verstappen.

“I remember we were struggling at the time with Alex Albon, because he came in early and we needed someone,” Horner said.

“Chico at the time, at the end of ’20, had just won this race in Bahrain from the back of the grid, and it was like: ‘We need someone with a lot of experience, and this adds another dimension to being Max.’” A colleague at the team”.

“He certainly did that in ’21, and he’s been a big part of the success the last few years.”

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Jump forward to present day in 2023 Formula 1 and Perez will remain Verstappen’s teammate, although this season, like Albon and Pierre Gasly before that, he has faced intense scrutiny for poor performances compared to Verstappen in the Red Bull RB19.

Podcast host Dax Shepherd said Albon is the driver he would like to see alongside Verstappen at Red Bull moving forward.

Horner responded with praise for Albon, a driver who he said had “toughened up” with Williams to make himself a sought-after driver.

“Yes, he’s fantastic, he’s fantastic and he did a great job for us when he resigned to become the test driver,” Horner said.

“He never complained, he never whined, he worked long hours and I was really happy that I was able to find him a seat at Williams and he has found his form. He’s got the experience now, he’s definitely gotten stronger and he’s an exciting asset.” once again.”

Albon is under contract with Williams until the end of Formula 1 2024, and has remained undecided about his future, reiterating his commitment to Williams for the remainder of his current deal.

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