Breaking news
Formula 1
Hamilton hopes Red Bull doesn't "spit out" Albon
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton says he hopes Red Bull doesn’t "spit out" Alex Albon, who he feels has a “bright future” in Formula 1.
Jack Benyon
Edited: Oct 30, 2019, 3:30 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Albon graduated from Formula 2 into a Toro Rosso seat for this year – having initially signed a Formula E deal with Nissan – and then replaced a struggling Pierre Gasly in the Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen from Spa following the F1 summer break.
Hamilton was behind Albon in the early stages of the recent Mexican Grand Prix, until Albon pitted early on a two-stop strategy whereas Hamilton turned a one-stop into a race win.
Read Also:
After racing in close proximity with the rookie properly for the first time, Hamilton said he was impressed with how well Albon has done in his debut year, particularly against Max Verstappen, who has been “built up onto a pedestal”.
“He was driving really well, not making any, or too many mistakes,” said Hamilton of the British-born Thai driver.
“I think this year has been…it’s a real challenge to go up against a driver that’s been spoken so highly of by so many people and built up onto a pedestal [Verstappen].
“And to come in so young, and with all the difficulties he’s had in his life as well – his life story is quite an interesting one – against all adversity.
“It was quite cool to just sit and view him for a second. He pitted very early, I’m not quite exactly sure why but they obviously then went onto the two-stop strategy and I didn’t really see him again after that. But he’s got a bright future ahead of him.
“I hope Red Bull give him the support over the years. It’s very, very important because they often spit drivers out pretty quick if they don’t always do the job.
"I hope they’re good to him.”
Albon went on to finish fifth in the Mexican Grand Prix as others proved the one-stop strategy was the best.
Team boss Christian Horner says Albon has impressed the outfit since his call-up and continues to improve.
“Alex has scored more points than Max since the summer break which you never would have expected, I think Alex is doing a very good job considering it’s his first year in Formula 1,” said Horner.
“He’s getting stronger, he works very hard, he has good feedback in the car and I think he’s impressed the team with his attitude and application.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Vettel: Changing opinions of critics "a nightmare"
Next article Abiteboul: Renault has to cut out "chaotic" weekends
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jack Benyon
Aitken, Samaia make up Campos' F2 line-up
FIA F2
FIA F2
Aitken, Samaia make up Campos' F2 line-up
DiBenedetto intends to “turn heads” with Wood Brothers
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
DiBenedetto intends to “turn heads” with Wood Brothers
Tanak "learned a very good lesson" from Monte crash
WRC
WRC
Tanak "learned a very good lesson" from Monte crash
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton: Kimi Antonelli “deserves to be the champion”
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Lewis Hamilton: Kimi Antonelli “deserves to be the champion”
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Why it's now Oliver Bearman versus Rafael Camara for the next Ferrari vacancy
More from
Red Bull Racing
"Just undriveable" – Isack Hadjar looking for answers after "massive" struggles in Austin practice
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
5 h
"Just undriveable" – Isack Hadjar looking for answers after "massive" struggles in Austin practice
Red Bull identifies two "key focus" areas after Max Verstappen's promising start in Austin
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
7 h
Red Bull identifies two "key focus" areas after Max Verstappen's promising start in Austin
Latest news
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Race 1: An unstoppable Lewandowski dominates to win Race 1
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
1 h
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Race 1: An unstoppable Lewandowski dominates to win Race 1
Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Why Cadillac F1 boss provoked fresh intrigue by dodging driver question
Lamborghini World Finals | PRO-PRO/AM Qualifying: Pole position for Lind, Bamber, Van der Drift and Marcelli
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
2 h
Lamborghini World Finals | PRO-PRO/AM Qualifying: Pole position for Lind, Bamber, Van der Drift and Marcelli
Jorge Martin's endless ordeal since signing for Aprilia
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
3 h
Jorge Martin's endless ordeal since signing for Aprilia
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe