Albon fully focused on Spa following "massive opportunity"

c045f326137454e254c6e17a3ee80ec0b951585a

09:12, 13 Aug 2019

Alex Albon has spoken for the first time since being promoted to the Red Bull team at the expense of Pierre Gasly, who drops back down to Toro Rosso.

The news broke on Monday that Albon would replace Gasly until the end of the season as Red Bull search for their driver to partner Max Verstappen for the 2020 season. Despite Gasly's tough start to life at Red Bull he had been expected to keep his seat until the end of the season.

Following his surprise promotion, Albon has been speaking for the first time, thanking Red Bull for believing in him.

"Surreal to have been given this massive opportunity @redbullracing!" Albon said on Twitter.

"Can’t thank you enough for believing in me and making this possible. It’s a big jump into the deep end, but I’ve got my swimming shorts on!

"Thanks to all the guys at @ToroRosso, especially Franz Tost for the massive opportunity in F1 and never-ending support throughout my first year! Now to focus for my first race with the team in Spa."

Alex Albon

@alex_albon

·Follow

1/2 : Surreal to have been given this massive opportunity @redbullracing! Can’t thank you enough for believing in me and making this possible. It’s a big jump into the deep end, but I’ve got my swimming shorts on! 😄

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	106
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	88
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	67
4	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	58
5	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	52
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	48
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	28
8	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	17
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	16
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	10
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	5
12	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	5
13	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	4
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	4
15	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	1
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	1
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Albon fully focused on Spa following "massive opportunity"

WATCH: The F1 rookies race each other in go-karting!

Verstappen reacts to Albon replacing Gasly at Red Bull

Hamilton learns stewards' verdict after alleged impeding in Canada qualifying

'We’re not in kindergarten'- Russell cools Antonelli tensions after Canada GP clash

Hamilton pinning hopes on rain ahead of Canadian GP: 'I'm hoping it is'

Verstappen blasts lack of Red Bull feedback: 'This clearly never works'

Verstappen renews threat to walk away from F1 after bitter Canada qualifying

Hamilton at risk after stewards call over alleged qualifying impeding in Montreal

Russell reveals Mercedes setup changes for expected wet Canada GP

F1 LIVE | Verstappen threatens F1 exit: Reactions as Russell takes Pole for Canadian GP

Hamilton learns stewards' verdict after alleged impeding in Canada qualifying

'We’re not in kindergarten'- Russell cools Antonelli tensions after Canada GP clash

Hamilton pinning hopes on rain ahead of Canadian GP: 'I'm hoping it is'

Verstappen blasts lack of Red Bull feedback: 'This clearly never works'

Popular on GPBlog

Hamilton under investigation after the conclusion of the Canada Sprint

Verstappen hailed by F1 drivers for impressive performance

Kyle Busch death: fresh details emerge after tragic passing of NASCAR icon

Hamilton hears stewards' verdict after post-Sprint investigation

Season

WATCH: The F1 rookies race each other in go-karting!

Verstappen reacts to Albon replacing Gasly at Red Bull