Adapting the Red Bull to Albon makes the car slower

Will we see Alexander Albon at Red Bull Racing next year? Or in Formula 1 at all? The redemptive answer is still a matter of time away, but in the meantime everyone is speculating.

Albon lacks confidence

In an interview with Stuart Codling for Autosport, Motorsport.com editor Jon Noble analyses the current situation at Red Bull Racing. "The RB16 is difficult to drive and both Max Verstappen and Albon had difficulties with the car at the start of this season," says Noble. "Max can handle this better than Albon. He lacks the confidence in the car to really push."

Initially, it was thought that this was the reason for the big gap between Verstappen and Albon, but as the car got better, the gap didn't narrow. "When Red Bull makes the car more controllable for Albon, the car theoretically gets worse," Noble analyses. "Verstappen wants more grip at the front so he has more speed in the corners. That makes the car more insecure at the rear, but faster. This is not good for Albon's times."

Second driver Red Bull

Red Bull wants to fight Mercedes, but cannot afford to do so with just one car. "Red Bull is not looking for a driver to beat Max. They want a driver who can get within three-tenths of Verstappen and stay close to him in the race. Also to help Red Bull strategically in the race," said Noble.

Red Bull’s mistake

Replacing Albon at Red Bull now seems only a matter of time, but Noble believes that Red Bull is mainly to blame. With Albon and Pierre Gasly, there have been two young drivers in recent years with little experience, who are not as good as Ricciardo, for example.

"The mistake Red Bull has made is to focus on promoting drivers from its own training instead of looking for someone with the talent, experience and speed to be psychologically strong alongside Verstappen. Something they probably have to do now for next year," concludes Noble.