Albon: "The switch to Red Bull was a reset for me"

16 May 2020 at 18:16

Last update 16 May 2020 at 18:39

GPblog.com

Alex Albon has had one of the most remarkable rookie seasons. The current driver of Red Bull Racing had to come a long way to make it in F1, and after a first season in F1 it seems that the driver will be able to rally behind Max Verstappen at Red Bull. In an interview with GPRacing the Thai looks back on that first season and how he experienced his first season.

Switching to Red Bull was more difficult

Albon had never been in a Formula 1 car before the winter test in 2019, so his first laps in the Toro Rosso were exciting for him. "There were a number of sleepless nights beforehand, but when I put on my helmet, fastened the straps and sat in the car, the nervous feeling went away". For Albon, the beginning of 2019 was mainly about getting to know the car. He didn't expect to be able to drive the Red Bull in August.

"At one point, towards the summer, I slowly got into my rhythm with the team. That was the moment that I got the call, that was really a kind of reset for me". At Spa Albon had to start all over again. Red Bull is a different team than Toro Rosso and in a short time he had to learn everything all over again. "Actually that was more difficult, because we didn't have test days to learn everything. It all had to happen in the free practice sessions."

Last winter test very important

Albon notes that his move to Red Bull demanded much of his adaptability. "It was not like now that we have winter tests and then a period in which we can develop the car. It was much more like: "Just give me something, and I'll try to work with it"". Albon therefore thinks that his preparation with Red Bull for 2020 has gone much better than the hasty preparation in the middle of 2019.

"That's why last winter test was so important. It was the first time that I could really talk with the team and the engineers about what the plans are, and to make a solid plan together for the season", said Albon.