Alexander Albon Brazil crash not his fault - Red Bull

Alexander Albon

Albon crash not his fault - Red Bull

Christian Horner backs his man.

Matthew Scott

Friday 15 November 2019 19:00

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner shouldered the blame for Alexander Albon's FP1 crash at the Brazilian GP.

Albon was quickest on-track at the end of FP1, with dry-tyre runs at the end of a wet session curtailed when the Thai driver crashed into the barriers at Juncao and drew the red flags.

It was an inauspicious start for Albon, in his first race since being confirmed as a Red Bull driver for 2020, and follows a recent pattern of crashes in practice sessions.

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However, Horner sees no reason for concern, or correlation, with running on a damp track at Interlagos a risk that the team had taken.

Horner said: "It started good. Alex – first time in Brazil, first time on the track – went fastest on the intermediates and then the circuit looked like it was starting to get dry. I think there were 10 cars that went out on slicks.

"Max [Verstappen] went off at Turn 2. Alex, unfortunately, with cold brakes, he locked up in the last turn and put a bit of damage.

I am on:

? Slick tyres
⚪️ Intermediates
⚪️ Wet tyres

I am looking for:
? Grip
? The dry line
⚪️ Standing water#BrazilGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/vqLK6oJSnh
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 15, 2019

"So it's dented the mechanics lunch break, to get the car ready for the next session.

"I think today you can't put on Alex's account. Maybe we were a little bit too optimistic getting out there trying to get him laps in on a track that was still pretty damp in the middle sector.

"And Max he had a moment at Turn 1 and Turn 2, there were other cars as well running wide.

"I don't think today, we can blame that on Alex.

"He's had a few little incidents this year, thankfully they've all been on Fridays and Saturday mornings, and when it's come to it in qualifying and the race he's absolutely delivered."