Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Alex Albon, Red Bull Racing RB16
Prime
Opinion

Why Red Bull is right to back the much-maligned Albon

Alex Albon has come under plenty of criticism this year for his struggles in matching Red Bull lead driver Max Verstappen. But it's not for nothing that the famously ruthless team hasn't yet reverted to type and shown him the door

The story goes that Alex Albon, when arriving at his hotel ahead of Formula 2's 2018 pre-season test at Bahrain, found that he didn't have a room booked for him. Luckily, the Arden team happened to be staying at the same hotel, and Albon shared a room with friend and former GP3 teammate Nirei Fukuzumi.

Albon began 2018 with no drive, no backing and no money. He'd run ART stablemate Charles Leclerc close to the GP3 title in 2016, missing out by just 25 points, and then stepped up to F2 with the French squad. Although consistent at the start of a difficult 2017 season, his progress was interrupted by a broken collarbone, and ART decided to promote from within for 2018.

Previous article F1 tech: The 2021 parts teams are already testing
Next article How the FIA will investigate Grosjean's accident

More from Jake Boxall-Legge

Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike?

Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike?

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike? Was Magnussen's role as Hulkenberg's helper in Saudi Arabian GP unsportsmanlike?
10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP 10 things we learned at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2024
How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes

How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes How F1's mad tea-party driver market could look if Verstappen moves to Mercedes
The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory

The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory The laps that underpinned Verstappen’s crushing Bahrain GP victory
Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole

Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole

F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole Verstappen: Red Bull continuous gains key to beating Ferrari to Bahrain F1 pole
The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival

The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival The tests Leclerc and Ferrari must pass before Hamilton's arrival
What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice

What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice

F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice What we learned from Thursday F1 Bahrain GP practice

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia