Verstappen draws comparison: 'That was a bit like Pierre Gasly'

The move of George Russell to Mercedes gives Alexander Albon the opportunity to prove himself in Formula 1 again. Max Verstappen is pleased that his former teammate is returning, as Albon has a lot of potential.

The Dutchman thinks the driver might just do well at Williams. "I had sent him a message that I was very happy for him," Verstappen told Ziggo Sport. "And that he can just start again. If you look at what he did at Toro Rosso. That was a bit like Pierre Gasly, which looked very good. Only then he came to Red Bull and struggled."

Verstappen thinks this was bad luck, however. "That car just didn't suit him I think. I think at Williams he can show himself again with less pressure. I've always told him too, we used to race each other in go-karts. He is good. Just because of certain circumstances he couldn't show it," said the world championship frontrunner, who acknowledges he was better than Albon at Red Bull. "It's hard for me to drive slower."

The Red Bull driver will start the race in Italy on pole position on Sunday afternoon. Verstappen is currently five points ahead of his rival Lewis Hamilton in the world championship.