Albon saw Red Bull listen more to Verstappen: 'I understand why'

Alexander Albon was promoted to Red Bull Racing after just six months in Formula 1 at AlphaTauri. The British Thai lasted a year and a half, but was then replaced by Sergio Pérez. Albon argues that the presence of Max Verstappen made it harder for him to excel during that period.

"Red Bull Racing, it’s not really a place for learning. And fair enough, I get that. They’re trying to win races," Albon interjected to The Players Tribune. At the Austrian racing stable, Albon was the replacement for Gasly. "When I got in the car and had a few sessions under my belt, I thought of Pierre: 'I get it. I get it, mate'."

Verstappen puts Red Bull in his favour

The 26-year-old driver agrees that driving a Red Bull is not easy, mainly because in terms of developing the car, Verstappen's wishes are always listened to a bit more. "This isn’t to throw shade at anyone at Red Bull Racing or Max or anything, honestly. But the car is set up in a unique way that is built around the lead driver, and that’s Max. And, look, I totally get why. I mean, when all is said and done, he might be the greatest driver of all time."

Verstappen wants his car to be tuned in a certain way, which Albon says is difficult for many drivers to follow. The current Williams driver claims to like "a strong front end and nose", but that with Verstappen it is almost inimitable. "If you play Call of Duty, or a game like that, turn your sensitivity up to the highest it will go. That’s what it’s like to drive that car," Albon is referring to the Red Bull cars.